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THE  KOYAL  MINT,  LdXDoX— Erected  1807-1813. 


THK  I'NITEP  STATKS  MINT,  PinT,AI)KI<PHIA.— Erfxted  1829-30. 


THE 


COIN    BOOK, 


COMPRISING 


A  History  of  Coinage;  A  Synopsis  of  the  Mint  Laws  of  the  United  States; 
Statistics  of  the  Coinage  from  1792  to  1870;   List  of  Current  Gold 
and  Silver  Coins,  and  their  Custom  House  Values;  A  Diction- 
ary OF  all  Coins  known  in  Ancient  and  Modern  Times, 
WITH  THEIR  Values  ;   The  Gold  and  Silver  Product 
of  each  State  to  1870;   List  of  Works  on 
Coinage;    The  Daily   Price  of  Gold 
FROM  1862  to  1 87 1. 


WITH  ENGRAVINGS  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  COINS. 


PHILADELPHIA  : 

J.   B.   LIPPINCOTT   &   CO. 

1873. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year   iSjl, 

By   I.   SMITH    HOMANS,  Jr., 

In  the  Office  of  the   Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington. 


tmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 


IS 


THE  BOOK  OF  COINS. 


< 


:;»• 


CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

I.     A   History  of  Coinage 1 

II.     The  Acts  of  Congress  relating  to  the  Mint 54 

III.  A  Dictionary  of  Coins,  ancient  and  modern 80 

IV.  The  Production  of  Gold  and  Silver  in  each  State.     .     .  107 

V.     The    Coinage   of  the    United    States,    annually, 

\                           1793-1870. 108 

VI.     The  Daily  premium  on  gold  at  New-York,  1862-1870.  110 

VII.     List  of  Works  on  Coins,  Gems,  and  Madals 119 

0    VIII.     Official  values    of  the    Gold   and  Silver    Coins  of 

foreign  nations 122 

IX.     The  Origin  of  Noted  Coins 124 


ENGRAVINGS. 

Fac  similes    of  the  leading  Gold  and  Silver  Coins  of 

the  United  States,  France,  Great  Britain, 

Mexico,  Prussia,   Russia, 

and  Spain. 


386428 


A  HISTORY  OF  COINAGE. 


A   HI&TORY  OF   COINAGE  IJST   GREAT  BRITAIN, 

With  Preliminary  Remarks  on  the  Coins  and  Moneys  of  Account 
in  Ancient  and  Modern  Times. 

BY    ROBERT    MUSHET, 

OF  THE  BOYAL  MINT,  LONDON. 

(From  the  Encyclopedia  Britanniea.) 


Monet  is  a  measure  of  value  and  medium  of  excliange  :  coinage 
is  the  art  of  fabricating  money. 

So  soun  as  nations  emerge  from  a  state  of  barbarism,  when 
simple  barter  no  longer  suffices  to  meet  their  wants,  they  will  invent 
some  common  or  conventional  measure  of  value  by  which  to  ex- 
change their  products  and  carry  on  their  commerce.  In  the  rude 
ages  of  society,  cattle  are  said  to  have  been  the  common  medium 
of  commerce;  and  among  the  patriarchs  of  old  they  were  the  meas- 
ure of  man's  wealth  and  greatness.  The  armor  of  Diomede,  says^ 
Homer,  cost  only  nine  oxen  ;  but  that  of  Glaucus  cost  a  hundred 
oxen.  In  some  countries,  in  former  times,  salt  was  the  measure  of 
value  and  instrument  of  exchange  ;  and  in  others  shells  formed  the 
circulating  medium.  But  as  tlie  necessities  of  nations  multiply,  and 
their  commercial  transactions  extend,  tliey  soon  discover  the  inad- 
equacy of  these  means,  and  will   search   for  something  of  a  more 


2  A  History  of  Coinage. 

stead}'  and  durable  (tharactor,  which  sliall  serve  both  as  a  circulating 
medium,  as  well  as  a  medium  of  exchange  Avith  other  countries 
trading  with  them.  From  a  very  early  period  metals,  as  possessing 
that  cliaracter  in  a  high  degree,  were  chosen  to  perform  these  im- 
portant functions.  They  are  not  only  less  perishable  than  other 
articles,  but  they  can,  without  loss,  be  divided  into  any  number  of 
parts,  and  be  united  again  by  fusion :  they  can  be  hammered  or 
rolled  into  plates,  and  moulded  into  any  shape:  and  occupying  less 
bulk  than  other  articles,  they  are  easily  transported  from  place  to 
place. 

"Different  metals  (says  Adam  Smith)  have  been  made  use  of  by 
different  nations  for  this  purpose.  Iron  was  the  common  instrument 
of  commerce  among  the  ancient  Spaktaxs,  copper  among  the  ancient 
RoMAXS,  and  gold  and  silver  among  all  rich  and  commercial  nations. 
Those  metals  seem  originally  to  have  been  made  use  of  for  this  pur- 
pose in  rude  bars,  without  any  stamp  or  coinage.  Thus  we  are  told 
by  Pliny,  upon  the  authority  of  Tim^us,  an  ancient  historian,,  that, 
till  the  time  of  Servius  Tullius  (550  b.  c),  the  Romans  had  no 
coined  money,  but  n^ade  use  of  unstamped  bars  of  copper,  to  pur- 
chase whatever  they  had  occasion  for.  These  rude  bars,  therefore, 
performed  at  this  time  the  function  of  money." 

Before  the  invention  of  coined  money,  the  precious  metals  were 
exchanged  by  weight  only  ;  but  as  many  obvious  inconveniences 
attended  that  custom,  as  an  initiatory  step  pieces  of  metal  rudely 
shaped  were  stamped  with  their  weight ;  and  then  by  degrees  the 
art  of  coining  money  was  introduced,  intended  not  only  to  indicate 
by  the  stamp  of  the  sovereign  authority  the  weight,  but  also  the 
fineness  of  the  coin.  So  long  as  copper  and  iron  performed  the 
functions  of  money  and  measure  of  value,  probably  the  weight  only 
was  the  test  of  value  ;  but  with  regard  to  gold  and  silver,  another 
element  enters  into  their  appreciation  of  as  much  consequence  as  the 
weight  itself  The  quality  or  fineness  of  these  metals,  by  which  the 
value  is  determined,  can  only  be  discovered  by  the  laborious  pro- 
cess of  assay;  and  therefore  (as  Adam  Smith  remarks),  before  the 
institution  of  coined  money,  unless  this  tedious  and  difficult  opera- 
tion were  undertaken,  people  must  always  have  been  liable  to  the 
grossest  frauds  and  impositions ;  and  instead  of  a  pound  weight  of 
pure  silver,  might  receive,  in  exchange  for  their  goods,  an  adul- 
terated composition  of  the  coarsest  and  cheapest  materials.  To 
guard  the  public  against  such  frauds,  to  facilitate  exchanges,  and 
thereb}^  encourage  industry  and  commerce,  mints  were  established, 
in  which  pieces  of  metal  of  determinate  weight  and  fineness  were 
stamped  by  ))ublic  authority,  in  order  to  declare  the  quantity  and 
uniform  go-<dness  of  the  money  so  stamped,  that  it  should  pass  from 
hand  to  hand  without  doubt  or  suspicion. 

In  early  times  these  coins,  or  pieces  of  metal,  constituted  or 
denoted  weights  of  different  denominations;  oi",  in  other  words, 
they  expressed  the  weight  or  quantity  of  metal  contained  in  them, 
as  in  the  Koman  as  or  pondo,  which,  when  money  was  first  coined 


A  History  of  Coinage.  3 

at  Rome,  signified  a  pound  weight  of  good  copper,  consisting  of 
twelve  ounces,  as  in  our  troy  pound.  So  the  English  pound  ster- 
ling oi'iginally  expressed  not  a  coin  exchangeable  into  20  shillings, 
hut  simply  a  pound  weight  of  silver  of  sterling  fineness.  The 
French  livre  likewise  contained,  in  the  reign  of  Charlemagne,  a 
pound  weight  of  silver  of  a  determinate  quality.  And  on  the 
authority  of  Adam  Smith,  the  Scots'  money-pound  contained,  from 
the  time  of  Alexander  I,  to  that  of  Robert  Bruce  (1306),  a 
pound  of  silver  of  the  same  weight  and  fineness  witli  the  English 
pound  sterling.  English,  French,  and  Scots  pennies,  too,  con- 
tained all  of  them  originally  a  real  pennyweight  of  silver,  or  240th  of 
a  pound.  The  shilling  also  seems  originally  to  have  been  the  denomi- 
nation of  a  weight,  and  not  of  a  coin  of  conventional  value. 

As  the  transition  from  mere  barter  (by  which  one  product  of 
labor  is  exchanged  for  another),  to  the  use  of  metals  as  instruments 
of  commerce,  indicates  an  advance  in  civilization  ;  so  the  transition 
from  the  latter  to  the  fabrication  of  coined  money,  however  rude 
and  inartificial  at  first,  marks  another  progressive  step  in  culture 
and  refinement ;  while  the  various  designs  impressed  on  the  coin, 
and  the  mode  of  manufacture,  testify  in  nice  degrees  the  slow 
advancement  of  society  in  art,  taste,  and  ingenuity. 

An  inquiry,  therefore,  into  the  coinage  of  a  country  like  Great 
Britain,  from  the  earliest  times,  possesses  an  interest  apart  from  the 
subject  itself  as  a  mere  antiquarian  research,  because  it  throws  an 
indirect  ray  of  light  on  the  social  condition  of  the  people  from  age 
to  age,  and  enables  us  to  note  the  progressive  steps  of  their  improve- 
ment in  taste,  refinement,  and  mechanical  invention,  as  well  as  to 
ascertain  their  comparative  wealth  and  social  comfort,  indicated  by 
the  value  of  the  necessary  articles  of  life.  The  subject  partakes 
not,  indeed,  of  the  true  dignity  and  importance  of  history ;  but,  in  a 
less  ambitious  channel  of  research,  it  is  not  without  utility  and 
instruction. 

In  order  to  illustrate  the  necessary  connection  that  exists 
between  the  social  and  political  condition  of  a  nation  and  its  coin- 
age, we  need  only  to  refer  to  the  rude  ill-fashioned  coins  of  our 
semi-barbarous  ancestors,  and  contrast  them  with  the  elegant  and 
highly-finished  specimens  of  the  present  day.  The  forge  and  ham- 
mer, and  other  manual  appliances,  are  now  superseded  by  mechan- 
ical contrivances  of  the  highest  order,  Avhich,  with  artistical  design 
and  beauty,  co-operate  to  embellish  and  impart  elegance  to  the  coin 
of  the  realm.  If  this  description  be  true  of  the  external  features  of 
our  currency,  it  is  equally  true  Avith  respect  to  the  uniformity  of  its 
fineness ;  of  more  importance  than  even  taste  and  beaut}'.  The 
somewhat  mysterious  and  alchemical  ordeal  of  trying  "  by  fire,  by 
water,  by  touch,  by  Aveight,  or  by  all  or  any  of  them,"  has  found  a 
less  empirical  and  more  certain  substitute  in  the  scientific  art  of 
assaying  the  precious  metals. 

Another  pre-eminent  advantage  we  have  acquired  by  means  of 
those  mechanical  contrivances  referred  to,  is  the  vast  rapidity  with 


4  A  Hist  or]/  of  Coinage. 

which  money  can  now  be  coined  and  issued  to  the  public — an  ele- 
ment in  the  comparison  of  ancient  and  modern  times  of  great  signifi- 
cance to  a  commercial  country,  like  Great  Britaix,  in  which  the 
currency  is  liable  to  be  disturbed  by  external  causes,  and  in  wliich  the 
public  exigencies  are  as  uncertain  as  they  are  urgent  and  imperious. 

It  is  not  too  ranch  to  assert,  therefore,  that  in  a  view  of  the  coin- 
age of  Great  Britain  we  possess  within  certain  limits  a  faithful 
record  of  the  progress  of  its  civilization.  Tlie  view  is  of  necessity  a 
contracted  one,  but  not  the  less  true  and  authentic.  Like  the  his- 
tory of  the  customs,  habits,  and  modes  of  life  of  a  nation,  it  tills 
but  a  subordinate  part,  and  aims  no  higher;  nevertheless  a  knowl- 
edge of  it  is  not  oidy  useful  but  indispensable.  The  coinage  of  a 
country  speaks  with  unerring  accuracy  and  truth;  and  so  long  as 
coins  are  extant  to  bear  witness  to  barbarity  or  refinement,  rude- 
ness or  taste,  ugliness  or  beauty,  clumsiness  or  elegance,  we  cannot, 
as  in  some  other  historical  researches,  be  perverted  by  prejudice  or 
deceived  by  ignorance.  It  is  truthful,  because  it  bears  the  impress 
of  truth,  and  stands  as  a  kind  of  living  memorial  of  past  genera- 
tions. A  rude,  shapeless  coin,  with  an  efiigy  resembling  the  un- 
formed scrawl  of  a  child,  is  as  certain  a  proof  of  the  low  state  of 
civilization  in  art  and  mechanism  as  analogous  imperfections  Avould 
be  in  painting  or  sculpture  ;  while  a  beautiful  and  elegant  and  well- 
finished  coin  speaks  convincingly  of  corresponding  ideas  and  tastes 
in  the  nation.  And  when  such  evidences  of  refinement  prevail 
among  the  people,  the  state  and  excellence  of  the  coinage  will  al- 
ways aflTord  a  subject  of  pleasure  and  congratulation.  In  Great 
Britain'  our  coins  have  not  certainly  attained  the  highest  degree  of 
excellence,  though  for  some  time  thej^  appeared  gradually  approach- 
ing it;  and  we  would  fain  hope  that  in  future  tlie  step  may  be  pro- 
gressive rather  than  retrograde ;  though  as  a  commercial  nation  we 
are  too  apt  to  be  inditiTerent  to  such  claims  on  our  admiration  as 
objects  of  taste  call  forth,  however  jealous  we  may  be  of  the  fine- 
ness of  the  coinage.  It  is  indeed  too  frequently  the  tendency  of 
modern  ideas  of  economy,  applied  to  public  works,  to  give  little 
encouragement  to  whatever  conceiTis  art  and  enterprise.     • 

Though  we  ha^e  in  this  cursory  manner  pointed  out  some  of  the 
uses  to  which  a  history  of  the  coinage  may  be  made  subservient, 
our  design  is  to  give  only  a  brief  outline  of  the  subject,  accompanied 
by  a  detailed  description  of  the  various  operations  and  processes 
concerned  in  the  fabrication  of  money,  as  Avell  as  some  account  of 
the  recent  changes  introduced  into  the  constitution  and  manage- 
ment of  the  Royal  Mint. 

3foney  in  ancieiit  times. 

On  the  first  landing  of  Julius  C^sar  (54  b.  c.)  on  the  shores  of 
Britaix,  he  describes  the  inhabitants  as  a  race  just  emerging  from 
barbarism,  and  tlieir  money  could  not  therefore  be  of  a  high  order. 
Their  use  of  money  was  circumscribed  by  their  simple  >vaiits  and 
limited  commerce ;  and,  according  to  him,  it  consisted  of  rude  pieces 


A  History  of  Coinage.  o 

of  brass  and  iron  i-mgs,  regulated  to  a  certain  weight,  which  prob- 
ably wei"e  in  use  strung  together,  as  the  Cliinese  do  at  this  day 
with  their  interior  nio!iey.  He  makes  no  allusion  to  coins  or  money 
of  gold  01"  silvei',  and  it  may  be  inferred  none  existed;  for  although 
foreign  coins  at  one  period  circulated  freely  in  Britain,  it  is  improb- 
able amongst  such  a  people  as  the  ancient  Britons  that  such  should 
have  been  the  case.  Both  Stkabo  and  Tacitus,  indeed,  speak  of 
the  gold  and  silver  of  BpaTAiN,  as  if  indigenous  to  the  soil;  but  as 
gold  has  not  been  discovered  in  any  considerable  quantity  since  that 
period,  and  as  silver  is  not  found  except  in  combination  with  lead, 
we  may  conclude  these  writers  received  their  information  from  mere 
hearsay  or  tradition.  It  is  not  probable  that  a  people  emerging 
from  barbarism,  without  art  or  science,  should  have  imported  gold 
for  the  purpose  of  coinage;  nor  can  we  give  them  credit  for  that 
degree  of  skill  and  ingenuity  necessary  to  separate  the  silver  from 
the  lead  in  their  mines.  So  far  from  this  being  probable,  we  are 
informed  that  even  the  brass  of  which  their  chief  money  consisted 
was  imported  from  abroad,  though  the  soil  was  rich  in  eojjper ;  and 
that  of  iron  they  produced  but  a  small  quantity,  being  devoid  of 
skill  and  enterprise. 

Tacitus  says,  ''  Bkitaix  produces  gold,  silver,  and  other  metals 
to  reward  its  conquerors:"  but  in  refutation  of  this.  Dr.  Henry,  as 
well  as  others,  remark,  that  if  the  Britons  had  any  gold  or  silver 
amongst  them,  either  coined  or  uncoined,  when  they  were  first  in- 
vaded by  the  Romans,  it  was  certainly  unknown  to  their  invaders, 
which  it  is  not  likely  to  have  been  if  they^  came  in  quest  of  treasure, 
as  Suetonius  avers,  who  says  that  not  the  gold  but  the  jDearls  of 
Britain,  famous  then,  were  the  chief  incitement  to  Cesar's  invasion. 
Writers  on  such  subjects  often  deal  in  hypei'bole,  attributable  to 
want  of  accurate  information  with  regard  to  the  countries  they  de 
scribed.  Thus,  according  to  Diodorus  Siculus,  even  Gaul  was 
famous  for  the  abundance  of  its  gold,  and  the  Gauls  for  their  skill 
and  dexterity  in  discovering,  refining,  and  working  that  metal.  V^e 
cannot  believe  the  gold  to  have  been  the  produce  of  their  own  mines, 
though  it  may  have  been  common  among  them.  Their  coins  are 
represented  to  be  of  pure  gold,  without  any  alloy  of  baser  metals; 
and  not  only  their  coins,  but  their  rings,  chains,  and  other  trinkets, 
were  made  of  gold  equally  tine. 

The  first  attempt  of  the  ancient  Britons  to  coin  money,  though 
not  accurately  ascertained,  may  be  referred  to  a  period  subsequent 
to  Caesar's  second  invasion  (53  b.  c.)  ;  and  Ave  may  suppose  the 
appearance  of  Roman  coins  amongst  them  prompted  them  to  imita- 
tion, however  rude  and  unlike.  As  their  coins  consisted  of  gold 
and  silver,  as  well  as  inferior  metals,  indicating,  therefore,  a  rapid 
stride  in  refinement  and  civilization,  some  have,  not  without  plausi- 
bility, conjectured  thein  to  be  of  foreign  origin,  imported  in  the 
way  of  commerce ;  because  the  initial  letters  stamped  on  them  ap- 
pear to  have  some  reference  to  the  names  of  certain  Gaulish  princes, 
mentioned  by  C^sar  or  Tacitus.     Dr.  PIenry  observes  on  this  cu- 


6  A  History  of  Coinage. 

rious  subject — "  It  is  not  unreasonable  to  suppose  that  some  of  the 
Gauls,  retiring  from  their  country  to  avoid  the  Roman  yoke,  and 
settling  in  Britain,  wliich  was  still  free  after  the  retreat  of  C^sae, 
brought  with  them  the  art  of  coining  money,  in  the  same  taste  in 
which  it  was  practised  in  Gaul,  immediately  betbre  the  conquest  of 
that  country  by  the  Romans;  when  a  new  and  more  beautiful  man- 
ner was  introduced.  This  conjecture  is  eoniirmed  by  the  remark- 
able resemblance  of  these  coins  to  those  of  the  ancient  Gauls." 
But  RuDiNG,  who  is  always  a  truthful  and  generally  an  accurate 
guide  in  such  curious  researches,  takes  exception  to  this,  and  remarks, 
that  "  if  we  proceed  to  examine  the  coins  themselves,  they  furnish 
no  proofs  to  justify  their  appropriation  to  any  country.  Tlie  far 
greater  part  of  them  are  without  any  legend ;  and  on  the  rest  are 
to  be  found  only  initial  letters,  or  at  most  single  syllables,  which,  by 
the  ingenuity  of  antiquarians,  have  been  compelled  to  express  any 
meaning  they  have  thouglit  tit  to  adopt."  It  is  singular,  however, 
that  a  nation  Avithout  any  known  mines  of  gold  or  silver,  and  with- 
out any  commerce  worthy  of  the  name,  whose  inhabitants  were 
exceedingly  poor,  and  with  whom  the  value  of  money  was  great, 
shoi.ld  have  indulged  in  such  a  token  of  retinement  as  a  gold  cur- 
rency. Yet  certain  it  is,  that  a  considerable  number  of  the  coins  of 
CuNOBELiNE  havc  been  preserved,  containing  his  name,  sometimes 
in  full,  sometimes  abbreviated,  with  the  name  of  the  capital  of  his 
kingdom — Camalodunum  (Colchester), — and  so  far  we  cannot 
question  their  appropriation  to  an  ancient  British  king.  The  domlii- 
ions  of  this  petty  monarch  extended  from  the  coasts  of  Norfolk, 
Suffolk,  and  Essex,  Avestward  across  the  island  to  the  banks  of 
the  Severn;  and  he  is  supposed  to  have  reigned  during  the  times 
of  Augustus,  Tiberius,  and  Caligula  (26  b.  c.  to  40  a.  d.).  Pos- 
Bessing  the  wisdom  to  appreciate  the  retinement  and  civility  of  the 
Romans,  this  monarch  seems  to  have  introduced  considerable  im- 
pi'ovement  into  his  coins,  forming  them  in  a  measure  on  the  model 
of  the  Roman  money.  "  On  some  of  these  coins,"  says  RuDiifG, 
"the  name  of  the  monarch  is  given  with  a  Latin  lermination,  and 
the  devices  which  are  impressed  upon  others  are  evident  imitations 
of  the  coins  of  Augustus  C^sar.  All  the  lettei's  are  plainly  Roman. 
But  it  is  in  outward  appearance  alone  that  these  coins  agree  with 
the  Roman  money  of  that  period  in  which  Cunobelink  is  generally 
supposed  to  have  reigned,  for  in  weight  they  are  widely  ditterent. 
The  cause  of  tliis  variation  from  the  prototype  in  so  important  a 
point  cannot  now  be  ascertained ;  but  it  seems  to  justify  a  susj)icion 
that  the  weights  were  regulated  in  conformity  with  other  British 
money  then  current:  and  in  confirmation  of  this  suspicion,  it  may 
be  observed  that  some  of  the  coins  Avhicli  bear  Cunobeline  and 
Camalodunum  resemble  in  type  those  which  are  usually  attributed 
to  earlier  British  kings." 

But  the  improvements  introduced  by  tliis  monarch  were  destined 
to  be  of  short  duration  ;  because  a  ^aw  years  after  his  death,  Britain 
having  again  been  subjected  to  the  Roman  dominion  under  Clau- 


A  History  of  Coinage.  *l 

Dius  (a.  d.  43),  and  by  his  seventy  reduced  to  a  mere  province  of 
the  Roman  empire,  the  native  mints  ceased  to  coin  British  money ; 
and,  agreeably  to  the  Romax  policy,  an  edict  was  issued  to  the  etiect 
that  all  money  current  should  bear  the  imperial  stamp. 

Though  the  Roman  money,  which  must  have  been  abundant, 
continued  to  circulate  in  Bkitaix  after  the  inroad  of  the  Saxoxs, 
about  the  middle  of  the  iifth  century,  mints  were  subsequently  estab- 
lished in  vai'ious  places,  regulated  by  laws  which  the  Saxox  con- 
querors brought  from  the  Continent,  and  which  differed  in  many 
particulars  from  those  of  the  Romans,  Some  have  indeed  doubted 
whether  these  people,  at  their  invasion  of  Britain,  possessed  any 
knowledge  of  tlie  art  of  coining  money — supporting  their  opinions 
on  the  authority  of  Tacitus  ;  but  the  best  authorities  on  the  history 
of  our  coinage  controvert  this  hypothesis  by  the  better  testimonv 
of  the  coins  themselves.  "  Sceattat?,"  says  Ruding  of  the  Saxon 
coins  so  called,  "  are  known  of  the  early  kings  of  Kent,  some  of 
which  must  have  been  struck  within  the  sixth  century;  and  there 
are  others  so  similar  to  them  in  type,  as  to  justify  their  appropria- 
tion to  the  same  people,  but  which,  from  their  symbols,  were  evi- 
dently coined  before  their  conversion  to  Christianity,  and  were, 
therefore,  probably  brought  with  them  from  the  Continent,"  This 
distinguishing  mark — the  cross — is  also  wanting  on  the  sceattae  of 
Ethelbert  I.,  king  of  Kent  (a,  d.  568),  in  whose  reign  the  conver- 
sion of  the  Saxons  from  paganism  by  the  monk  St.  Augustin  com- 
menced. 

Of  the  internal  constitution  of  the  heptarchic  mints  no  records 
remain;  but  if  we  may  judge  by  specimens  of  coins  extant,  the 
taste  and  mechanical  skill  of  the  Saxons  were  scarcely  superior,  if 
at  all,  to  those  of  the  ancient  Britons.  Unlike  these,  they  disdained 
to  follow  the  Roman  models  (of  which  many  beautiful  specimens 
must  have  been  preserved),  but  pursued  a  rude  and  barbarous  me- 
thod of  their  own  ;  and  hence  their  coins  are  found  to  differ  in  form, 
type,  and  weight,  from  those  current  amongst  them  at  the  same 
time.  They  are  of  equal  weight  and  fineness  with  the  later  Anglo- 
Saxon  pennies.  The  coiners,  or  moneyers,  as  they  are  called,  stamp- 
ed their  names  upon  the  money;  but  the  custom  of  adding  the 
place  of  mintage  was  of  rare  occurrence,  and  almost  solely  confined 
to  the  ecclesiastical  coins  of  Canterbury, 

AVhen  the  heptarchy  was  dissolved,  and  its  different  petty  king- 
doms united  under  one  rule,  the  mints  wei-e  regulated  by  laws 
Iramed  in  the  Wiitenagemote,  or  great  council  of  the  nation  ;  and 
besides  the  royal  establishments,  the  mints  of  York  and  Canter- 
bury enjoyed  the  pi-ivilege  of  coining  money;  but  it  is  conjectured, 
with  much  probability,  that  the  dies  were  supplied  by  the  crown, 
and  that  the  sovereign  participated  to  a  certain  extent  in  the  profit. 

The  most  ancient  coins  known  to  have  existed  amongst  the 
Anglo-Saxons  were  the  sceattse,  supposed  to  be  the  fii-st  coined  by 
them  in  Britain,  They  are  of  very  rude  and  clumsy  workmanship, 
while  their  weights  vary  from  VJ  to  20  grains  and"  upwards.     By 


8  A  History  of  Coinage. 

the  laws  of  Athelstan  (924-940),  tlie  value  of  this  coin  is  stated  to 
Le  such,  that  30,000  of  them  equal  L.120,  and  it  was  therefore  less 
/aluable  than  a  penny  by  a  25th  part.  Besides  these,  there  appears 
to  have  been  also  another  coin  of  inferior  denomination,  worth  a 
quarter  of  a  penny,  but  of  what  metal  it  was  composed  we  are 
ignorant. 

The  penny  was  the  next  coin  made  of  which  we  have  any  know- 
ledge. The  word  appears,  says  Kuding,  in  the  laws  of  Ina,  king 
of  the  West  Saxons,  ab(jut  the  year  (388,  and  is  in  a  manner,  there- 
fore, consecrated  by  its  antiquit}'.  Its  probable  origin  is  derived 
from  pendo^  to  weigh  ;  and  if  that  etymology  be  admitted,  it  will 
appear  probable,  observes  the  same  authority,  that  "  the  penny  was 
not  known  to  the  Saxons  before  their  arrival  in  Britain,  but  was 
adopted,  together  with  its  name,  at  the  same  time  that  mynet,  fi-om 
inoneta,  was  introduced."  The  penny  may  be  considered,  therefore, 
the  ancient  unit  of  our  currency. 

Of  that  coin,  240  are  supposed  to  have  been  fabricated  out  of  a 
pound  weight  of  silver,  giving  thus  24  grains  to  each,  and  making 
the  pound  consist  of  5760  grains,  as  at  present.  Hence  the  origin 
of  our  jyennyxceigld^  equal  to  24  grains,  and  the  240th  part  of  a 
pound.  Twenty  pennies  to  the  ounce  seem  to  have  been  also  the 
weight  of  the  Norman  coins  of  that  denomination.  "The  legal 
weight  of  the  penny,"  Clarke  observes,  "  continued  through  the 
whole  period  of  the  Saxon  government.  It  was  always  the  240th 
part  of  the  pound.  Their  laws,  from  the  first  mention  of  it  to  the 
last,  give  it  this  uniform  valuation."  Nevertheless,  there  is  evidence 
to  show  that,  at  different  periods,  if  not  during  the  same  period, 
there  were  two  pound  weights  in  use,  one  as  above,  and  another  con- 
sisting of  only  5400  grains  troy,  called  the  Tower  pound. 

There  was  likewise  a  halfpenny  coined  in  silver,  and  probably  a 
fai-tiiiiig,  or  quarterpcnny  of  the  same  metal;  wiiicli  will  not  appear 
sui'prising  if  we  considei*  the  great  value  of  money  in  those  ages 
and  consequent  low  price  of  the  necessaries  of  life.  Besides  these 
subdivisions  of  the  penny,  there  seems  to  have  been  also  another 
piece  ecpiivalent  to  the  third  part  of  that  coin,  which  continued  in 
use  as  late  as  the  reign  of  Henry  I.  (a.  d.  1100).  "But,"  says 
lIuDiNG,  "even  so  small  a  coin  as  one-fourth  of  a  penny  could  not 
be  sufficiently  minute  to  answer  the  common  purposes  of  exchange, 
at  a  time  when  most  of  the  necessary  articles  of  life  were  to  be  pur- 
chased at  prices  so  far  beneath  what  is  now  considered  to  be  their 
value;  when,  for  instance,  in  the  reign  of  Atiielstan,  an  ox  was 
sold  for  tiiirty  pennies,  and  a  sheep  for  one  shilling." 

Accordingly,  the  Anglo-Saxons  coined  inlerior  money  of  brass, 
called  stijcas,  two  of  which  Avere  equal  to  one  farthing.  Tliey  had 
also  other  moneys,  or  denominations  of  money,  the  exact  nature  of 
which  cannot  now  be  determined  ;  but  of  the  sceattai,  the  i)enny, 
the  halt'ijenny,  the  farthing,  and  styca  (all  undoubted  coins)  speci- 
mens remain,  except  the  farthing.  The  mancus,  the  mark,  the 
Ihrisma,  the  ora,  and   other  denominations  iu  Saxon,  Danish,  and 


A  History  of  Coinage,  9 

NoEMAX  times,  Avere  probably  like  talents  and  shekels,  weights  of 
current  money,  and  not  coins.  In  truth,  the  origin  of  all  coin 
denominations  in  early  times  were  weights  ;  for  originally  the  pre- 
cious metals  passed  by  weight  in  commerce ;  and  when  tor  conve- 
nience pieces  of  metal  came  to  be  stamped,  these  pieces  were  well 
known  weights  of  the  country  where  they  were  coined.  The  smaller 
coins  were  regular  subdivisions  of  the  greater,  made  into  so  many 
for  each  pound. 

The  Saxon  shilling  differed  from  the  Xokman  hhilling  of  12  pence 
in  value,  six  of  them  making  only  30  Saxon  pennies,  or  a  mancus. 

iWas  a  denomination  of  money  only,  and  not  a  coin, 
and  signified  as  many  coins  as  were  made  out  of 
a  pound  of  metal  =  5,4U0  grains  troy. 

mr,    -w-    V.  j  The  same;  an  Anglo-Danish  denomination,  |ds  of 

ine  Mart  ^      ^  p^^^^^  =  8  oz.  =  3,600  grs. 

The  Mancus  \  '^^^  same;  a  weight  equal  to  30  pennies  =  6  sliil- 

(      lings. 
m,     ^  j  The  same ;  Danish  subdivision  of  the  mark,  -^th  or 

(     one  ounce  =;  450  grs". 
The  Thrisma  Three  Saxon  pennies  ;  not  a  coin. 

The  Shilling  Five  pennies  =112^  grs.;  do. 

The   Sceattte,   Penny,  \ 

Hafling,  Feortliling,  V'Real  coins. 
Styca  ) 

240  Pennies  =  1  Pound        5  Pennies  =  1  large  Shilling. 
160       . .       =1  Mark  4       . .       =1  lesser     do. 

30       . .      =1  Mancus      3       . ,       =1  Thrisma. 
20       . .       =:  1  Ora  20  Sceattae  =  1  Shilling  =  5i  grs.  troy. 

We  can  discover  no  satisfactory  evidence  of  the  Saxons  having 
coined  money  in  gold  ;  and  if  coins  of  that  metal  circulated  amongst 
them  (as  appears  to  have  been  the  case),  the  inference  is,  they 
came  from  al)road ;  as,  for  example,  bezants,  which  sometimes  occur 
in  Anglo-Saxon  transactions,  deriving  their  appellation  from  Byzan- 
tium or  Constantinople,  and  so  of  others.  "During  the  existence 
of  tlie  Anglo-Saxon  and  Anglo-Danish  government,"  says  Ruding, 
"there  is  reason  to  believe  no  other  metals  besides  silver  and  brass 
were  coined  in  their  mints."  The  use  of  the  latter  metal  seems  to 
have  been  rejected  by  the  Anglo-Norman  monarchs,  and  silver 
became  the  sole  material  of  coinage  for  a  long  established  period, 
until  gold  was  introduced  by  Heney  III. 

Ancient  mode  of  coining. 

Our  knowledge  of  the  mode  of  coining  money  in  early  times  is 
extremely  imperfect;  but  all  agree  that  it  Avas  rude  and  inartificial, 
and  so  a[)pears  to  have  continued  for  many  centuries.  Neither  the 
Anglo-Saxons  nor  Anglo-Normans  were  famous  for  their  skill  or 
inventive  powers.  To  both  Ave  are  beholden  for  many  excellent 
laws,  but  not  for  those  mechanical  arts  and  conti'ivances  Avhich  so 


10  A  History  of  Coinage, 

mucli  now  contribute  to  the  wealth  and  glory  of  England.  And, 
therefore,  it  cannot  but  be  esteemed  a  remarkable  fact,  that  a  nation 
Avhicli,  above  all  others  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  is  distinguished  for 
mechanical  invention,  and  pre-eminent  for  those  arts  which  elevate 
a  kingdom  in  the  scale  of  civilization — remarkable  for  its  restless 
activity,  enterprise,  and  adaptation  of  natural  laws  to  useful  pur- 
poses in  almost  every  branch  of  science — should,  in  its  infancy  and 
even  for  ages  after,  have  displayed  none  of  these  national  character- 
istics. On  the  contrary,  it  seems  to  have  been  wholly  indebted  to 
the  Continent  for  those  advantages.  And  when  improved  machines 
were  introduced  into  England  for  the  coinage  of  money,  the  nation 
was  slow  in  adopting  them.  Like  our  hand-loom  weavers,  the  people 
opposed  any  invention  that  seemed  to  militate  against  the  interests 
of  manual  labor,  while  at  the  same  time  they  had  little  aptitude  to 
turn  the  inventions  of  others  to  their  own  advantage. 

The  metal  brought  to  the  mints  for  coinage  was,  after  being  tried, 
reduced  to  sterling  or  standard  by  alloy  when  too  fine,  and  refined 
if  too  low  in  quality;  but  by  what  means  the  latter  operation  was 
peiformed  we  remain  in  ignorance.  The  metal  so  melted  was  cast 
into  small  bars,  and  these  were  flattened  by  a  hammer;  and  out  of 
these  fillets  or  plates,  square  pieces  were  cut  of  nearly  equal  weight, 
and  then  rounded  at  the  forge.  These  were  stamperl  simply  by 
fixing  a  die  in  a  block  of  wood,  while  another  Avas  used  as  a  punch, 
and  repeatedly  struck  with  a  hammer  till  it  received  the  required 
impression.  Money  fabricated  in  this  rude  manner  was  necessarily 
imperfect,  from  the  difficulty  of  always  placing  the  two  dies  exactly 
over  each  other  when  the  blank  piece  was  between  them,  as  well  as 
from  the  improbability  of  a  man  being  able  to  strike  a  blow  with 
such  force  and  precision  as  to  make  all  parts  of  the  impression 
equally  perfect. 

Even  in  the  reign  of  Edward  I.  (1272-1307),  it  is  recorded  in  the 
Red  Book  of  the  Exchequer,  that  the  new  money  then  coined  was 
made  in  the  following  manner :  first,  the  metal  was  cast  from  the 
metal-pot  into  long  bars,  which  were  cut  with  shears  into  square 
pieces  of  as  exact  a  weight  as  possible,  and  these  were  with  the 
tongs  and  hammer  forged  into  a  round  shape;  after  which  they 
were  blanched,  that  is,  made  white  by  annealing  and  boiling,  and 
afterwards  stamped  or  impressed  with  a  hammer  to  make  them  per- 
fect money. 

From  this  unskilful  and  imperfect  process,  scarcely  any  improve- 
ment seems  to  have  found  its  way  into  England  until  the  introduc- 
tion of  the  machines  called  the  laUl  and  screw,  applied  first  to  the 
coinage  of  Fuance  about  the  middle  of  the  sixteenth  century.  The 
coining-press  or  mill  was  of  French  origin,  the  invention  of  which 
is  generally  ascribed  to  one  Antoine  ]>kuchek,  an  engraver,  who 
in  1553  first  tried  it  in  the  palace  of  IIexry  II.,  for  the  stamping  of 
counters.  It  continued  in  use  till  15S5,  when  it  was  laid  aside  on 
account  of  its  being  found  more  expensive  than  the  hammer  coinage, 
and  so  remained  until  the  year  1023,  when  Briot,  a  French  artist, 


A  History  of  Coinage,  11 

unable  to  persuade  the  government  to  adopt  it  again,  came  over  to 
England,  where  it  was  immediately  put  in  practice  at  the  mint, 
under  the  direction  of  Briot  himself,  who  was  appointed  chief  en- 
graver. It  was,  liowever,  abandoned  for  the  reason  assigned,  until 
one  Blondeau,  forty  years  after,  persuaded  Charles  II.  to  intro- 
duce it  again  into  the  mint,  with  some  other  mechanical  improve- 
ments of  his  own  invention ;  and  eventually  it  created  a  revolution 
both  in  the  manner  of  coining  and  in  the  appearance  of  the  coins 
themselves.  For  the  great  change  which  then  took  place  in  the 
form  and  impression  of  the  new  money  struck  by  this  invention, 
gave  it  a  decided  superiority  over  the  old  coinage. 

The  mill  and  screio  are  generally  conceived  to  be  synonj'mous 
Avith  the  coining-pi'ess  as  one  machine  ;  but  il  is  not  improbable 
that  two  distinct  machines  were  comprehended  in  that  expression; 
the  screw  or  mechanical  power  employed  in  giving  the  impression 
to  the  coins,  and  the  mill  or  mechanism  driven  by  horse-power,  by 
which  the  metal  was  rolled  instead  of  being  hammered  into  plates. 
The  introduction  of  a  mere  coining-machine  would  have  been  of 
little  use  without  a  corresponding  improvement  in  other  processes, 
and  quite  incompatible  with  the  slow  and  clumsy  mode  of  forging 
the  metal  formerly  in  use.  The  inference  is  in  some  degree  cori-obo- 
j-ated  by  the  reputed  costliness  of  using  the  machine ;  for  a  coining- 
press  will  cost  little  more  than  the  labor  of  working  it.  Before  the 
introduction  of  steam-power,  human  labor  was  employed  in  driving 
the  coining-presses;  but  probably  animal  labor  was  used  in  dri\  ing 
the  rolling-mill,  and  hence  the  expense  must  have  been  considerable, 
if  not  comjDensated  by  the  extent  of  the  coinage. 

Sterling^  etc. 

In  the  fabrication  of  money  from  the  precious  metals,  it  is  a  fun- 
damental law  that  some  particular  standard  should  be  adopted  as  re- 
gards the  composition  of  the  metal ;  and  this  was  called  by  our  Saxon 
ancestors  sterling.  The  origin  of  the  word,  which  has  remained  so 
many  ages  in  fiimiliar  use,  is  involved  in  some  obscurity ;  but  it  is 
generally  understood  to  have  expressed  what  we  now  call  the  stand- 
ard of  our  silver  currency,  for  it  was  never  applied  to  coins  made  of 
the  more  precious  metal,  gold.  While  by  custom  and  habitude  we 
speak  of  pounds  sterling,  our  Saxon  and  Norman  ancestors  signified 
by  these  words  pounds  in  weight  of  coin  of  sterling  silver.  On  this 
curious  subject,  it  is  remarked  by  IIuding,  that  in  England,  and  all 
over  the  continent  of  Europe,  it  designated  tlie  standard  quality  of 
our  silver  money ;  and  it  is  a  striking  circumstance  in  the  history  of 
our  coinage,  that  the  fineness  of  the  silver  coins,  which  was  expressed 
by  that  word,  has  preserved  its  integrity  unbroken  from  the  reign 
of  Henry  II.  (at  the  lowest  calculation),  down  to  the  present  time — 
a  ])eriod  of  more  than  600  years.  This  standard  consists  of  11 
ounces  2  pennyweights  of  fine  silver  and  18  peiniy weights  alloy  to 
tlui  pound  troy,  or  18-222  dwts.  Dr.  Henry,  in  his  History  of  Great 
Britain,  says  that  the  standard  of  Anglo-Saxon  money  consisted 


12  A  History  of  Coinage. 

at  one  time  of  9  parts  of  silver  and  1  of  copper ;  but  that  must  apply 
to  a  very  early  period,  as  there  can  be  no  doubt  of  the  great  anti- 
quity of  the  sterling.  If,  to  perfect  the  proposed  decimal  system  of 
coinage,  the  standard  were  altered  or  reduced  to  ^^^^ths  as  respects 
silver,  the  coincidence  would  be  singular. 

Sterling  silver  remained  in  high  repute  all  over  the  Continent, 
because  it  was  superior  to  any  other  currency  ;  and  even  in  England 
the  words  conveyed  for  centuries  the  ideas  of  goodness  and  purity. 
And  we  may  remark  here  that  the  gold  coins  of  England,  from  the 
reign  of  Henry  III.,  when  they  were  generally  introduced,  to  the 
reign  of  Henry  VIII.,  who  debased  their  purity,  were  made  of  fine 
gold.  This  is  a  remarkable  circumstance,  because  as  gold  in  its 
native  state  is  rarely  discovered  so  pure,  the  existence  for  a  long 
period  of  a  coinage  fabricated  of  that  meta,l  in  a  state  of  purity 
necessarily  implies  the  knowledge  of  the  art  of  refining,  which  must 
have  been  practised  at  a  very  early  period.  Pliny,  indeed,  says 
that  in  his  time  gold  was  refined  by  mercury,  which  mingled  with 
it,  but  rejected  all  alloy,  and  the  gold  was  freed  from  the  mercury 
by  squeezing  both  in  skins,  in  which  operation  the  mercury  ran 
through  and  left  the  gold  in  a  pure  state.  Some  of  the  Greek  gold 
coins  were  also  of  great  purity,  as  those  of  Philip  of  Macedon,  and 
his  son  Alexander  the  Great,  rivalled  by  those  of  the  other 
princes  and  cities  which  immediately  followed.  Those  of  the  suc- 
cessors of  Alexander  in  Egypt  were  23  carats  3  grains  fine,  and  1 
carat  grain  alloy,  which  we  give  on  the  authority  of  Jacob  in  his 
book  on  the  "  Precious  Metals."  Pinkerton,  on  the  authority  of 
a  French  writer,  informs  us  that  the  goldsmiths  of  Paris,  in  assay- 
ing some  gold  coins  of  Vespasian,  found  in  them  no  more  than  a 
VSSth  part  of  alloy.  But  though  the  Greek  and  Roman  coins 
attained  so  high  a  standard,  their  silver  coins  were  not  so  pure. 
Those  of  the  Greeks  were  inferior  to  ours;  and  also  the  Roman  of 
the  earliest  period,  though  slightly. 

During  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.,  the  currency  of  both  gold  and 
silver  was  greatly  debased  and  corrupted,  as  compared  with  that  of 
former  reigns.  He  fabricated  coins  of  wliat  was  called  crown  gold, 
22  carats  fine,  which  was  eventually  adopted  as  the  standard  of  our 
gold  currency.  Some  of  his  silver  money  was  so  much  depreciated 
as  to  contain  no  more  than  a  third  part  of  fine  silver.  But  notwith- 
standing this  nefarious  and  dishonorable  proceeding  on  the  part  of 
the  crown,  the  true,  ancient,  and  venerable  standard  or  sterling  was 
always  regarded  by  the  people  with  a  degree  of  affection  and  rever- 
ence somewhat  similar  to  that  which  on  great  occasions  they 
expressed  in  favor  of  their  ancient  laws  and  charters.  So  soon,  there- 
fore, as  Queen  Elizabeth  was  firmly  fixed  on  her  throne,  she  listened 
to  the  reasonable  demands  and  just  representations  of  the  country, 
and  restored  the  ancient  standard  of  our  silver  coin,  which  happily 
has  remained  untouched  to  this  day. 

The  following  table  will  show  the  variations  of  the  standard  from 
Edward  I.  to  the  reign  of  Elizabeth.     From  the  most  authentic 


A  History  of  Coinage. 


13 


documents,  it  appears  the  standard  remained  uniformly  the  same 
through  the  long  extended  period  from  Edward  I.,  and  perhaps 
before,  to  tlie  34th  year  of  Henry  VIII.,  wlien  the  proportion  fell 
to  10  ounces  of  fine  silver,  and  2  ounces  of  alloy  to  the  pound 
weight  troy. 


From  Edward  I.  to  Henry  VIII. 
34tli  year  Henry  VIII 

Fine 

Silver,    i 

Alloy. 

Fine  Sil- 
ver p  lb. 

Oz. 

11 

10 

6 

4 

4 

G 

3 

11 

11 

]1 

11 

Dvfta. 
2 

i 

1 

2 
2 

Oz. 

Dwts. 

Dwts. 

2 
6 
8 
8 
6 
9 

IS 

19 
19 
18 
18 

222 

200 

120 

80 

80 

120 

60 

221 

221 

222 

222 

36t.h 

37th 

1st  Edward  VI 

3d 

4th 

6th 

Mary,  and  Philip  and  MaiJy.  . . . 
Elizabeth 

Victoria 

In  the  earliest  times,  the  silver  coins  were  equal  in  weight  and 
in  tale;  that  is,  each  penny  was  a  pennyweight  (.)f  silver,  or  24 
grains.  Such  was,  indeed,  tlie  theory  ;  for  the  coins  in  reality  rarely 
reached  to  the  counterpoise' of  a  pennyweight.  The  intention  was 
frustrated  either  by  the  great  imperfection  of  manufacture,  or,  as 
RuDiNG  maintains,  from  design — as  the  irregularity  was  too  nearly 
general  to  be  attributable  to  accident.  But  niay  this  discrepancy 
not  in  part  be  explained  by  supposing  that  at  one  period  the  pound 
contained  only  5400  grains,  which  would  give  only  22^  grains  to 
the  penny  instead  of  24  grains?  No  doubt  also  the  profit  of  the 
s/iere,  or  remedy  on  the  coin  for  errors  of  fabrication,  sometimes 
offered  too  strong  a  temptation  to  our  monarchs  who  looked  to  the 
coinage  of  money  as  a  considerable  source  of  revenue ;  while,  on  the 
other  hand^  the  dishonest  propensities  of  the  niuneyers,  and  the  evil 
habit  of  clipping  the  coin,  increased  the  evil.  In  consequence  of  the 
diminution  of  weight,  arising  from  one  or  all  of  these  sources,  any 
considerable  payment  in  coin  required  to  be  made  by  weight,  and 
the  deficiency  made  good.  Exchanges  were  also  instituted  to  change 
light  money  for  that  of  full  weight ;  and  it  was  no  uncommon  arti- 
fice of  our  kings  of  old  to  call  in  the  coins,  in  order  that  they  might 
have  the  profit  of  the  shere :  and  at  such  times  the  coins  were  taken 
by  weight  and  not  by  tale,  inflicting,  therefore,  great  loss  on  the 
possessor. 

It  is  observed  by  Ruding,  that  the  professed  standard  weight  of 
24  grains  continued  for  more  than  200  years  from  the  Norman  con- 
quest, that  is,  until  the  28th  year  of  Edward  I.  (a.  d.  1300).  From 
that  time  until  the  43d  of  Elizabeth,  a  period  of  full  300  years, 
the  legal  weight  of  the  coins  was  progressively  diminished ;  and 
yet  notwithstanding  the  variations  in  the  price  of  bullion  which 


14  A  Hlstori/  of  Coinage. 

haA'e  taken  place  since  the  conclnsion  of  her  reign,  the  weight 
continued  stationary  for  more  than  200  years — that  is,  until  the  55th 
year  of  the  reign  of  George  III.  (1815). 

We  have  already  incidentally  remarked,  that  anciently  what  Ave 
now  denominate  a  pound  in  currenc}'^  was  in  reality  a  pound  weight 
of  sterling  silver ;  and  if  that  assertion  be  correct,  then  it  follows 
that  silver  relatively  to  gold  is  three  times  cheaper  than  it  Avas  in 
former  times.  A  pound  of  silver  was  worth  then  240  pennies,  or 
say  20  shillings  :  now  the  market  value  is  about  60  shillings,  or  720 
pence,  and  the  mint  price  66  shillings.  In  researches  of  this  nature 
it  is  difficult,  laborious,  and  often  impossible  to  obtain  full  and 
accurate  information  of  such  pai'ticulars  from  existing  records;  but 
evidence  of  the  interesting  lact  may  be  deduced  from  inferential  or 
collateral  lestimony.  For  example,  we  have  on  record,  so  late  as  the 
reign  of  Edward  III.  (1327),  that  the  pound  of  silver  was  coined  at 
the  i"ate  of  25  shillings ;  and  a  pound  of  gold  at  the  rate  of  oidy 
L.15;  whereas  in  the  reign  of  Charles  II.  (1660-1685)  silver  was 
coined  at  62  shillings,  and  gold  at  L.44,  10s.  If  we  assume  the 
relative  value  of  gold  and  silver  to  be  as  15  to  1  ;  then  in  the  reign 
of  Henry  I.  (1100-1135)  it  was  9  to  1  only;  and  therefore  nine 
pounds  of  silver  should  be  esteemed  the  equivalent  in  exchange  for 
one  pound  of  gold.  But  in  the  calculation  allowance  ought  to  be 
made  for  the  diflference  in  the  fineness  of  gold  at  the  two  periods. 

Privilege  of  coining. 

The  privilege  of  coining  money  has  always  been  claimed  as  a 
prerogative  of  the  executive  power,  which  was  guarded  with  extreme 
jealousy.  "The  legitimation  of  money,"  says  Sir  Matthew  Hai.e, 
"and  the  giving  it  its  denominated  value,  is  justly  reckoned  in  jura 
majestatis,  and  in  England  it  is  one  special  part  of  the  king's  pre- 
rogative." And  RuDiNG  observes,  "  As  to  the  impression  of  the 
coins,  the  stamping  thereof  is  the  unquestionable  prerogative  of  the 
crown,  and  it  was  in  very  few  instances  communicated  to  those 
persons  on  whom  the  privilege  was  conferred ;  for,  in  general,  the 
dies  were  sent  either  from  the  Exchequer,  or  from  the  master  of  the 
mint  in  the  Tower."  The  privilege  implied  that  the  authority  of 
the  crown  Avas  necessary  to  give  legal  currency  to  the  coin;  and 
although  Blackstone  thinks  it  did  not  extend  to  the  debasement 
of  the  coin  to  the  injury  of  the  people,  no  one  can  doubt  that  the 
power  AA'as  not  always  legitimately  exercised.  In  truth,  it  is  only  in 
the  case  of  a  depreciated  currency  that  the  king's  proclamation  is 
necessary  to  give  legal  circulation  to  the  coin  of  the  realm;  and  as 
a  protection  to  his  subjects,  the  tender  is  limited  within  narrow 
bounds. 

In  early  Saxon  and  Norman  times,  royal  establisliments  existed 
in  almost  every  town  of  any  importance  for  the  coinage  of  tlie  king's 
money.  During  the  reign  of  Ethelred,  Avho  died  in  1017,  it  is  said 
that  no  less  than  38  mints  Avere  in  various  places  employed  for  this 


A  History  of  Coinage.  l6 

purpose.  The  reason  is  not  clifRcult  to  perceive.  The  communica- 
tion between  different  parts  of  the  country  was  extremely  imperfect 
and  hazardous,  and  it  became  necessary  to  institute  mints  and  ex- 
changes in  provincial  towns  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the  neio-h- 
boring  districts  with  money  to  carry  on  their  commerce  ;  but  as 
communication  was  rendered  easier,  these  subordinate  mints  and 
exchanges  by  degrees  fell  into  disuse,  till  at  length  they  all  became 
concentrated  in  the  metropolis,  Avhere  one  estahMshment  has  been 
found  adequate  for  the  supply  of  the  whole  kingdom. 

After  the  Noeman  conquest,  the  number  of  mnirs  was  greatly 
reduced, /SO  that  in  the  reign  of  Hexry  VI.,  who  died  14til,  tiie  only 
mints  in  England  were  at  Bristol,  Canterbury,  Coventry,  Dur- 
ham, London,  Norwich,  Oxford,  and  York  ;  but  in  the  reign  of 
Henry  VII.  (1485-1509),  they  were  further  limited  to  Canterbury, 
Durham,  York,  and  London.  It  is  supposed  by  some,  that  in  the 
time  of  Elizabeth,  when  the  currency  was  purified  and  improved, 
all  the  coins  of  the  realm  were  struck  in  London  only,  as  no  traces 
of  other  mints  are  to  be  found  from  that  period  ;  but  it  remains  on 
record  that  in  the  reigri  of  William  III.  (1689-1702),  when  a  great 
recoinage  of  silver  took  place,  several  local  mints  were  employed 
along  with  the  one  in  the  metropolis  in  order  speedily  to  complete 
that  vast  undertaking. 

Athelstan  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  monarch  who  enacted 
any  regulations  for  the  government  of  the  various  mints.  In  his 
laws,  promulgated  about  the  year  928,  it  is  provided  tliat  one  sort 
of  coin  only  should  be  current  throughout  the  kingdom ;  and  he 
granted  to  various  towns  by  name  a  number  of  coiners  or  moneyers 
proportionate  to  their  size  and  consequence,  and  to  all  boroughs  of 
inferior  ranks  one  moneyer  each.  The  provincial  mints  were  under 
the  control  of  that  within  the  Tower  of  London,  from  which,  as 
paramount,  the  dies  were  issued,  and  for  which  the  moneyers  paid  a 
regular  fee  upon  every  alteration  of  the  coins.  They  seem  also  to 
liave  paid  an  annual  rent  (we  presume  for  the  use  of  the  premises), 
which  in  the  city  of  London  amounted  to  L.75 — a  very  considerable 
sum  at  that  time.  The  rents  of  the  other  mints,  however,  were 
much  lower  than  this. 

The  chief  use  of  the  exchanges  appointed  in  various  places  was 
to  increase  the  facility  of  distributing  the  coins  made  at  the  mints, 
to  change  new  money  for  old,  to  receive  the  coins  when  called  in  by 
the  monarch  when  light,  clipped,  or  defective,  and  for  the  purpose 
of  purchasing  bullion  for  the  supply  of  the  mints  ;  for  it  appears  our 
monarchs  claimed  the  exclusive  right  of  purchasing  bullion,  and 
appointed  olficers  (to  whom  they  delegated  that  branch  of  the  pre- 
rogative), called  custodes  cambii,  and  custodes  monetce.  It  was  the 
duty  of  these  functionaries  not  only  to  exchange  the  current  coins, 
but  also  to  receive  wrought  plate  and  foreign  coins  according  to 
their  fineness;  and  as  the  exportation  of  the  coins  of  the  realm  was 
prohibited,  they  furnished  persons  going  out  of  the  kingdom  with 
ioreigu  money  in  exchange  for  English,  and  also  supplied  merchants 


16  A  History  of  Coinage. 

and  stviingers  coming  into  the  kingdom  with  Exglish  coins  in  ex- 
cliange  for  foreign. 

From  these  sources,  and  from  the  coinage  of  money,  the  crown 
derived  a  considerable  revenue,  which  from  time  to  time  it  sought 
to  augment  by  means  not  the  most  scrupulous  or  honorable. 


j.L^cient  constitutioii  of  the  mints. 

The  constitution  of  the  mints  in  the  eai-liest  times  of  British 
histo  and  tno  regulations  applied  to  the  coinage,  are  questions  of 
antiquarian  researcb,  which  will  be  deemed  more  curious  than  profit- 
able. The  materials  for  such  an  inquiry  are  extremely  m'  agre  and 
incomplete;  for,  according  to  Ruding,  both  the  Anglo-Saxon  laws 
and  Domesday-Book  are  silent  on  the  subject.  They  frequently 
mention  the  inoneyers,  but  make  no  allusion  to  any  other  officers  of 
the  mint;  though  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  the  crown,  whose 
prerogative  it  was  to  coin  money,  must  have  had  some  jurisdiction 
over  those  Avho  were  employed  in  the  practical  operations.  It  may 
be  inferred  that  each  mint  Avas  supervised  by  a  heid  or  mint-master, 
Avhether  of  the  mint-proper  or  the  exchange,  who,  receiving  a  cer- 
tain rate  on  the  coinage,  paid  those  under  him  ;  while  the  moneyers, 
on  the  other  hand,  out  of  their  allowance,  paid  the  laborei's  under 
them.  This  may  not  have  been  the  case  at  the  earliest  period  of  our 
history,  but  the  custom  may  certainly  be  traced  back  to  very  remote 
times. 

On  the  early  Saxotst  coins  are  found,  besides  the  names  of  the 
monarchs,  those  of  other  persons  who  are  with  great  probability 
conjectured  to  be  the  moneyers,  and  not  the  mint-masters;  because, 
on  the  later  Anglo-Saxox  money  the  names  of  those  otticers  fre- 
quently occur,  with  the  addition  of  their  title  of  office;  and  this  fact, 
cou])led  with  the  silence  of  ancient  records,  has  led  Kudixg  to  con- 
clude that  they  were  the  only  persons  employed  in  the  Anglo-Saxon 
and  early  Anglo-Norman  mints.  lie  thinks,  too,  this  opinion  ia 
corroborated  by  the  circumstance,  tliat  in  the  reign  ot  Hexky  1. 
(1100-1 135),  Avhen  the'money  was  so  much  con-.ipted  as  to  call  foi  a 
sentence  of  most  exemplary  severity  on  the  oifen<lers,  the  punislunent 
is  said  to  have  been  iiillicted  upon  moneyers  onlv,  without  the  least 
mention  of  any  other  officer.  This  was  also  the  case  on  a  similar 
occasion  in  the  reign  of  Henry  II.  (1154-1189).  But  if  it  be  true 
that  the  moneyers  were  required  to  stamp  their  names  on  the  coins 
as  a  token  of  their  responsibility,  and  as  an  attestation  of  the  integ- 
rity of  the  coin,  the  punishment  of  any  other  persons  might  not  have 
been  necessary.  Kuding  remarks  on  this  subject,  that  "It  should 
seem  that  the  reeve  had  in  the  Anglo-Saxon  times  some  kind  of  con- 
nection with  the  mint  or  jurisdiction  over  it ;  for  in  the  laws  of 
Cnut  it  is  provided,  that  if  any  persou  accused  of  false  coinage 
should  plead  that  he  did  it  by  license  of  the  reeve,  tliat  officer  should 
clear  himself  by  the  triple  ordeal.  If  he  failed  to  do  this,  he  was  to 
suffer  the  same  punishment  as  the  falsifier  himself;  which,  in  tho 


A  History  of  Coinage.  17 

Batne  chapter  of  the  law,  is  said  to  be  the  loss  of  that  hand  by  which 
tlie  crime  was  committed — without  any  redemption  either  by  gold 
or  silver.  As  it  would  scarcely  be  possible  for  the  reeve  to  prove 
the  falsity  of  such  an  accusation,  it  seems  probable  that  his  situation 
with  respect  to  the  mint  was  such  as  to  make  it  his  duty  to  super- 
intend the  operations  of  it,  and  to  prevent  all  clandestine  practices." 
The  same  authority  further  observes,  that  after  the  Norman  con- 
quest the  officers  of  the  mint  appear  to  have  been  in  some  degree 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  court  of  exchequer,  as  they  were  ad- 
mitted to  their  respective  stations  in  that  court,  and  took  before  the 
barons  the  customary  oath  of  office. 

Mr.  RuDiNG  is  unable  to  determine  the  exact  period  when  it 
became  necessary  to  place  some  superintending  authority  in  the  mint 
to  prevent  the  bad  practices  of  the  moneyers;  but  adds,  it  is  prob- 
able such  an  officer,  if  the  gtrefa  or  reeve  were  not  a  presiding  func- 
tionary, was  appointed  between  the  twenty-sixth  year  of  Henry  II. 
(1180),  when  the  moneyers  alone  were  punished  for  the  adulteration 
of  the  money,  and  the  third  year  of  Richard  I.  (1192),  when  Henry 
DE  CoRNHiLL  accouutcd  for  the  profits  of  the  cambium  of  all  Eng- 
land, except  Winchester.  This,  however,  appears  to  be  con- 
jectural ;  for  this  the  first  warden  of  the  mint  was  most  probably 
appointed  to  collect  the  revenue  arising  from  the  seignorage  charged 
upon  the  coinage  of  bullion,  although  the  duties  might  also  extend 
to  the  fabrication  of  the  coins,  with  the  view  of  preventing  the  mas- 
ter or  the  moneyers  from  taking  any  undue  advantage  of  the  crown 
or  the  public  by  the  debasement  of  the  currency. 

In  the  reign  of  Edward  I.,  about  1279,  it  appears  all  the  mintS' 
in  England  became  consolidated  under  one  master,  Tournemire  of 
Marseilles,  who  became  personally  responsible  for  the  entire  coin- 
age. Between  him  and  the  king  an  agreement? somewhat  analogous- 
to  the  future  mint  indentures,  was  entered  into,  by  which  an  allow- 
ance was  secured  to  him  to  co^er  all  the  charges  of  coinage.  In. 
this  we  have  the  germ  of  that  system  of  contracts  or  agreements  by 
which  the  mint  was  afterwards  carried  on. 

But,  according  to  Ruding  and  others,  the  mint  did  not  attain  its 
full  constitution  of  superior  officers  until  the  eighteenth  year  of 
Edward  II.,  i.  e.,  at  the  beginning  of  the  fourteenth  century  ;  when 
an  officer  under  the  title  of  comptroller  first  appears,  who  delivered 
in  his  account  distinct  from  those  of  the  warden  and  master,  as  theirs 
likewise  were  from  each  other.  "  Thus  they  operated  as  mutual 
checks,  and  no  fraud  could  be  practised  without  the  criminal  con- 
currence of  all  those  three  persons."  One  of  the  peculiar  duties 
required  of  the  conijUroller  was,  annually  to  make  out  a  roll,  called 
usually  the  comptrolment-roU,  containing  an  account  of  all  the  gold 
and  silver  coined,  and  to  deliver  it  on  oath  before  one  of  the  barons 
of  the  exchequer.  It  was  always  written  on  parchment,  and  formed 
a  permanent  record  of  the  coinages  of  the  mint. 

The  office  of  king's  assayer  constituted  another  check  of  even 
greater  importance ;  for  to  this  officer  was  confided  the  assaying  of 

2 

\ 


18  A  History  of  Coinage. 

all  the  bullion,  after  it  had  been  melted  for  coinage,  as  well  as  the 
coin  itself,  and  hence  he  became  responsible  to  the  king  for  the 
purity  of  the  whole  coinage.  Persons  exercising  those  functions  are 
found  on  record  in  the  reign  of  Henry  III.  (1216-1272),  but  it  is 
probable  some  such  officer  existed  from  the  earliest  period  of  the 
fabrication  of  money,  although  we  are  unable  to  define  the  precise 
date  of  liis  appointment.  In  after  times  the  office,  by  degrees, 
acquired  more  consequence  and  authority,  as  no  coin  could  be  issued 
to  the  public  without  the  sanction  of  the  king's  assay-master;  and 
therefore,  as  Rudixg  remarks,  he  became  "the  sole  guardian  of  the 
purity  of  many  millions  of  money."  And  it  may  be  added  that,  in 
modern  times  at  least,  the  responsible  duty  has  always  been  dis- 
charged Avith  honor  and  fidelity,  and  to  the  great  advantage  of  the 
public. 

This  ancient  and  honorable  office  was  swept  away,  with  the  old 
constitution  of  the  mint,  in  1851. 

Besides  these,  there  was  another  officer  of  some  importance  in 
ancient  times,  who  bore  the  title  of  cimeator,  or  keeper  of  the  dies ; 
and  Avhich  still  exists  under  the  quaint  name  of  "  clerk  of  the  irons." 
This  office  is  supposed  to  have  been  hereditary;  and  the  person 
executing  its  duties  is  said  to  have  appointed  the  engravers  of  the 
dies,  who  Avere  thus  under  his  immediate  cognizance  and  authority. 
He  took  charge  of  the  dies  as  they  were  struck,  accounted  for  them, 
and  supplied  the  various  local  mints  with  dies.  By  right  of  office 
he  claimed  the  broken  dies  as  his  perquisite. 

Moneyers. 

The  monej'ers  were  persons  strictly  employed  in  the  fabrication 
of  the  coin ;  but  in  what  manner  they  were  paid,  and  what  degree 
of  rank  they  anciently  held,  are  subjects  open  to  dispute.  It  cannot 
be  doubted,  however,  that  as  regards  the  operative  branches  of  the 
mints,  they  were  persons  of  some  importance,  though  not  necessarily 
of  high  rank.  In  times  when  mechanical  knowledge  was  rare,  and 
skill  in  any  art  deemed  a  mystery,  such  endowments  were  greatly 
valued,  and  gave  importance  to  the  possessor.  After  a  careful 
analysis,  Kuding  is  disposed  neither  to  place  them  in  the  rank  of 
superior  officers  nor  of  common  workmen.  They  were  probably 
employed  under  a  superintending  head,  on  the  part  of  the  crown; 
enjoying,  at  the  same  time,  peculiar  rights  and  privileges  of  their 
own.  Without  being  exactly  a  corporate  body,  that  is,  having  a 
charter  of  incorporation  from  the  crown,  as  a  comi)any  of  mechanics 
tiiey  may  have  possessed  some  of  that  exclusive  spirit  wiiich  char- 
acterized the  trades  of  Londox.  Theirs  was  a  craft  and  mystery, 
which  would  naturally  assume  some  of  the  consequence  of  other 
crafts.  On  various  occasions  they  appear  to  have  acted  as  a  recog- 
nized body,  and  their  petitions  and  remonstrances  were  listened  to 
by  the  monarch  as  if  tliey  had  rank  and  power  sepai'ate  from  the 
general  officers  of  the  mint.     This  will  appear  quite  natural  and  con- 


A  History  of  Coinage.  19 

sistent  to  those  who  are  conversant  with  the  cxistoms  and  usages  in 
ancient  times,  Nothinsc  can  be  more  absurd  than  to  measure  tliose 
simple  and  primitive  a^es  by  the  standard  of  modern  society  ;  and 
to  conchide  that  the  moneyers  were  only  common  workmen  because 
they  worked  with  their  own  hands,  subjecting  themselves  to  servile 
duties  unbecoming  officers  of  the  mint,  must  only  betray  ignorance 
of  history,  and  of  the  mode  of  life  in  former  ages. 

We  have  already  observed,  that  they  stamped  their  names  on  the 
coins  as  a  mark  of  responsibility — a  custom  Avhich  prevailed  at  a 
verv  early  period  in  this  island ;  for,  according  to  Rudixg,  they  are 
found  upon  the  money  of  Egbert,  king  of  Kent  (827),  which  is  the 
second  in  point  of  antiquity  in  the  Anglo-Saxon  series,  and  must  be 
dated  about  the  middle  of  the  seventh  century.  They  were  usually 
stamped  on  the  reverse  of  the  coin,  but  in  some  few  instances  they 
are  found  on  the  obverse,  whilst  the  name  of  the  monarch  is  removed 
to  the  other  side.  They  amounted  sometimes  to  300  or  400  ;  and  it 
appears  seven  or  eight  moneyers  were  attached  to  each  mint,  em- 
ploying laborers  under  them,  when  the  exigencies  of  the  case  required 
it.  "  In  ancient  times,  it  is  said,  they  were  compelled  to  march  Avith 
the  VicoMES  when  he  went  with  the  army,  and  were  severely  fined 
on  refusal ;  and  whenever  the  king  came  to  a  place  where  a  mint 
existed,  they  were  obliged  to  coin  as  much  money  as  he  pleased  out 
of  his  silver.  Hence  they  were  sometimes  called  king's  moneyers 
and  are  so  entitled  in  a  writ  of  Henry  HI.  And  when  one  of  iheru 
died,  the  king  had  a  ceilain  sum  for  a  relief;  and  if  he  died  intes- 
tate, his  property  devolved  to  the  king.  They  paid  a  certain  annual 
rent  to  the  king,  and  also  a  kind  of  fine  upon  any  renewal  of  the 
money  for  the  dies,  Avhich  were  sent  from  the  mint  in  the  Tower.  In 
some  cases  they  had  houses  allowed  to  them  rent  free.  And  amongst 
their  peculiar  privileges,  they  appear  to  have  been  exempt  from 
local  taxation ;  for  Henry  HI.,  in  the  writ  already  alluded  to,  com- 
mands the  mayor  of  London  not  to  disturb  them  by  exacting  tallages 
contrary  to  their  privileges.  On  the  other  hand,  on  pain  of  dis- 
franchisement and  imprisonment,  they  were  required  not  to  dis- 
tribute any  coin  till  delivered  into  the  office  of  receipt  and  assayed; 
they  were  enjoined  to  work  whenever  required;  they  were  punished 
for  false  coinage,  etc.  According  to  Sir  Matthew  Hale,  it  was 
deemed  treason  if  they  made  the  coins  too  light,  or  not  of  the  legal 
fineness. 

The  moneyers  of  modern  times  arrogated  corporate  rights  and 
privileges,  and  a  vested  right  therefore  in  the  coinage  of  the  country  ; 
but  RuDiNG  justly  remarks,  that  they  never  were  a  corporate  body 
exclusive  of  the  other  officers  of  the  mint ;  for  it  seems  in  the  reign 
of  Edward  I.  the  privileges  which  belonged  to  the  moneyers  alone 
extended  to  all  the  officers  of  the  mint ;  and  after  various  confirma- 
tions of  succeeding  monarchs  they  were  afterwards  granted  and 
secured  to  them  as  a  corporate  body  in  the  first  year  of  Queen  Eliza- 
beth. Nevertheless  they  were  a  very  ancient  body,  as  we  have 
shown,  and  they  enjoyed  not  corporate  but  prescriptive  rights  of  a 


20  A  History  of  Coinage. 

peculiar  kind,  whicli   have  now  been   abolished,  along  with  other 
rights  and  privileges,  by  an  act  of  the  legislature. 

It  has  been  contended  that  the  names  marked  on  the  coins  were 
not  those  of  the  money ers,  so  called,  but  of  the  minter,  monetarius, 
or  mint-master,  who  with  his  journeymen  under  him  conducted  the 
whole  operation  ;  but  such  a  conclusion  is  contrary  to  the  truth,  and 
directly  opposed  to  the  evidence  of  history  as  well  as  the  authority 
of  the  best  writers.  The  number  of  such  is  sufficient  of  itself  to  dis- 
prove the  assumption. 

Seignorage. 

Connected  with  the  subject  of  coinage  is  the  seignorage,  or 
profits  of  coinage,  which  appear  at  one  time  to  have  formed  no  in- 
considerable part  of  the  I'evenues  of  the  crown  ;  and  which  were  often 
levied  without  regard  to  principles  of  justice  and  equity,  or  the  in- 
terests of  the  people.  The  seignorage  was  not  always  a  regular,  much 
less  a  moderate  rate,  but  depended  on  the  caprice,  the  avarice,  or  the 
necessities  of  the  sovereign.  And  according!)' ,  under  one  pretext  or 
another,  the  coin  was  frequently  called  in  and  renewed,  merely  to 
augment  this  pecuniary  advantage.  "The  profits  of  the  seignorage," 
says  Lord  Liverpool,  in  his  Letter  to  the  J^ing,  "  was  so  much  con- 
sidei'ed  by  our  monarchs  as  a  certain  branch  of  their  revenue,  that 
they  were  occasionally  granted,  whole  or  in  part,  either  to  cor- 
porate bodies  for  their  advantage,  or  for  defniying  certain  charges 
expressed  in  the  grant  itself.  They  were  sometimes  granted  to  indi- 
viduals by  way  of  pension,"  etc. 

The  seignorage  was  not  propei'ly  a  money  charge  for  coining,  but 
arose  from  a  certain  deduction  made  from  the  bullion  coined,  and 
comprehended — 1st,  the  charge  for  defraying  the  expenses  of  coin- 
age (included  in  a  rate  allowed  to  the  master  of  the  mint);  and, 
2dly,  the  sovereign's  profit  by  virtue  of  his  prerogative.  RunixG 
supposes  the  former  of  these  to  have  been  almost  coeval  with  the  in- 
vention of  coined  money.  But  it  is  probable  this  deduction  did  not 
long  remain  limited  to  that  simple  charge,  as  the  monarch  by  in- 
creasing it  discovered  a  facile  and  profitable  mode  of  enhancing  his 
revenue.  Li  the  earliest  mint  account  that  is  met  with,  says  Kudixg, 
namely,  one  of  the  6th  year  of  Henry  IIL  (1222),  the  profit  on  the 
coinage  is  stated  to  have  been  6d.  in  the  pound.  This  appears  from 
the  entries  under  that  year  of  bullion  coined  in  the  mint  at  Canter- 
bury, where  the  profit  upon  L.3S98  is  stated  to  have  been  L.97,9s.2d., 
wdiich  is  exactly  sixpence  in  the  })ouud.  Of  that  sum  the  king  had 
L.60,  18s.  3|-d.,'and  the  archbishop  L.36,  10s.  10|d. ;  and  the  whole 
sum  of  L.97,  9s.  2d.  is  stated  to  be  the  ^\nom\%  o^  exitus  /«/c/'/,  that  is, 
we  presume,  the  clear  profit,  after  all  the  expenses  were  deducted. 
And  this  agrees  with  the  seignorage  taken  in  the  28th  year  of  Ed- 
ward L,  amounting  to  Is.  2^d.  upon  every  pound,  out  of  which  the 
master  of  the  mint  had  o^d.  for  all  expenses,  and  there  remained  9d. 
clear  profiit  to  the  king.     But  as  this  latter  date  is  about  78  years 


A  History  of  Coinage.  21 

subseqixent  to  the  former,  it  is  not  improbable  that  the  seignorage 
had  been  raised  during  that  time  in  the  proportion  of  nine  to  six. 

The  profit  of  the  shere,  or  the  remedy,  as  now  it  is  called,  was 
also  sometimes  considerable.  This  was  strictly  an  allowance  made 
for  unavoidable  imperfections  in  the  fabrication  of  the  coin,  as  re- 
gards Aveight  only,  which  from  time  to  time  was  made  instrumental 
to  the  illegal  gain  of  the  king  and  wardens  of  the  mint.  But  as  there 
is  the  same  chance  of  an  increase  as  of  a  decrease  in  the  lawful 
weight,  it  is  manifest  no  considerable  profit  could  be  derived  from 
this  source  unless  by  a  uniform  and  systematic  coinage  of  the  money 
under  the  weight,  though  perhaps  Avithin  the  remedy.  Some  idea  of 
the  extent  of  such  profits  may  be  formed  from  the  confession  of  Sir 
William  Sharingtox,  who,  in  the  reign  of  Edwaed  VI.  (1547-1553), 
was  vice-treasurer  of  the  mint  at  Bristol.  He  says,  "that  in  three 
years  he  profited  by  the  shere  more  than  L.4000,  answering  to  the 
king  for  the  say  and  sheare  12d.,  and  taking  the  profit  of  the  rest  to 
himself." 

It  is  remarked,  however,  by  Snellixg,  in  his  Silver  Coinage,  that 
"it  does  not  appear  that  our  princes  made  any  considerable  advan- 
tage of  this,  until  Queen  Elizabeth,  in  her  fourteenth  year  (1572), 
allowed  Lonison  the  master  only  eightpence,  instead  of  fourteen- 
pence  farthing,  in  every  pound,  to  bear  all  expenses ;  which  obliged 
him  to  avail  himself  of  the  remedy,  amounting  to  sixpence  farthing 
in  the  pound,  as  appeared  by  the  report  of  the  commissioners  ap- 
pointed to  examine  into  this  affair;  after  which  the  queen  empow- 
ered him,  by  commission,  dated  December  31st,  in  her  twentj^-first 
year  (1579),  to  coin  silver  at  11  oz.  1  dwt.  in  fineness,  and  60s.  3d. 
in  the  pound  weight,  whicli  were  delivered  by  tale,  taking  thus  half 
the  remedy,  which  amounted  to  about  6:jd.  as  before."  It  seems, 
however,  that  Loxisox  took  a  still  further  advantage,  and  shered  the 
silver  at  sixty  shillings  and  fivcpenee  or  sixpence,  and  the  gold  at 
L.36,  3s.,  and  after  at  L.36,  3.  6d.,  while  he  paid  to  the  queen's  sub- 
jects only  60s.,  or  L.36,  by  tale,  by  Avhich  means  the  public  paid  eleven 
shillings  instead  of  four  shillings  for  gold  ;  and  two  shillings  and  six- 
pence instead  of  one  shilling  and  sixpence  for  silver. 

Toward  the  latter  end  of  her  reign,  and  during  the  first  seven- 
teen years  of  James  I.  (1603-1620),  the  money  was  again  paid  out 
by  tale,  and  therefore  the  profit  of  the  shere  came  to  the  crown, 
which  before  belonged  to  the  merchant.  The  latter  monarch  by  a 
proclamation  made  a  reduction  on  the  seignorage  levied  on  the  com. 

At  the  great  re-coinage  of  silver  in  the  reign  of  William  Ilf. 
(1689-1702)  the  money  is  said  to  have  been  shorn  at  something  more 
than  L.3,  2s.  3d.  per  lb.,  and  made  current  at  L.3,  2s. ;  thus  allowing 
3d.  per  lb.  weight  for  the  profit  of  the  shere,  or  rather  more  than 
eight  shillings  in  every  hundred  pounds  of  money. 

With  respect  to  times  and  usages  more  modern,  Rudtng  ob- 
serves, that  "in  the  present  mode  of  conducting  the  coinage,  very 
nearly  the  whole  advantage  of  the  shere  is  given  to  him  who  brings 
bullion  to  the  mint ;  for  the  coins  are  by  the  increased  skill  and  atten- 


22  A  Hist  art/  of  Coinage, 

tion  of  the  moneyers  found  greatly  within  the  remedies  allowed. 
Thus  It  will  appear,  from  a  reference  to  the  account  of  a  trial  of  the 
pyx  in  1799,  that  when  the  remedy  allowed  has  been  1  lb.  3  oz.  18 
dwts.,  the  actual  deficiency  has  amounted  to  no  more  than  1  dwt. 
15  grs.  If  the  whole  advantage  of  the  shere  had  been  taken,  it  would 
have  produced  from  the  coinage  of  about  five  years,  which  was  tlien 
tried,  nearly  L.80,000."  As  silver  is  coined  exclusively  by  the  crown, 
any  profit  of  this  kind  goes  to  the  benefit  of  the  public ;  but  with 
regard  to  gold,  the  importer  receives  the  advantage,  if  any.  For  it 
should  be  observed  that  the  remark  of  Ruding,  on  the  increased  skill 
and  attention  of  the  moneyers,  is  as  applicable  now  as  then  to  the 
coinage  of  the  realm,  while  at  the  same  time  the  remedies  have  suf- 
fered considerable  diminution,  so  that  the  chances  of  gain  and  loss 
must  be  esteemed  nearly  equal. 

There  is,  however,  another  more  certain  source  of  profit  to  the 
importer  of  gold  into  the  mint  for  coinage,  not  alluded  to  by  writers 
on  the  subject,  and  that  is  the  increment  on  the  assay,  or  on  the  fine- 
ness of  the  metal,  which  to  that  extent  augments  the  standard  weight, 
and  consequently  the  value  of  his  bullion.  The  assay  report  which 
accompanies  the  gold,  and  by  which  its  market  value  is  computed, 
does  not  according  to  usage  come  closer  than  one-eighth  of  a  carat 
grain,  or  7^  grains  per  lb.  troy;  but  when  the  importer  carries  his 
gold  to  be  coined,  anotlier  assay  is  made  at  the  mint,  much  finer  and 
more  delicate  than  the  trade-assay,  in  order  to  attain  the  exact  stand- 
ard, and  he  receives  any  benefit  arising  from  fi-actional  parts;  in  a 
word,  he  has  delivered  to  him  a  greater  weight  of  coined  money  than 
his  bullion  represented  by  the  assay  on  which  he  purchased  it.  On 
an  average,  this  profit  is  supposed  to  be  equivalent  to  about  one  six- 
teenth of  a  carat  grain  =  3f  troy  grs.,  or  nearly  8d.  per  lb.  weight. 
By  a  return  made  by  the  Bank  of  England,  this  gain,  or  increase  of 
bullion,  is  estimated  to  have  amounted  to  tlie  large  sum  of  L.59,262, 
16s.  6d.  on  L.48,659,648  coined  between  1816  and  1837. 

By  an  act  of  Charles  II.  (1678)  the  seignorage  formerly  levied  on 
the  coin  of  the  realm  was  entirely  abolished  ;  and  it  M'as  ordained 
that  Avhoever  brought  sterling  silver,  or  crown  or  standard  gold  to 
the  mint,  should  receive  in  exchange  an  equal  weight  of  the  current 
coin.  And  for  the  encouragement  of  coinage  the  king  undertook  to 
bear  all  the  expenses,  so  tliat  the  importer  received  standaid  Aveight 
for  standard,  and  sterling  for  sterling  in  coin,  "without  any  defalca- 
tion, diminution,  or  charge  for  the  assaying,  coinage,  or  waste  iu 
coinage ; "  and  to  defray  these  charges  the  monarch  was  authorized 
to  raise  certain  duties  upon  wines,  spirits,  etc.,  as,  in  the  words  of 
the  act,  "it  cannot  be  reasonably  expected  that  the  ex))ense,  waste, 
and  charge  of  assaying,  melting  down,  and  coinage,  be  borne  by  your 
Majesty. 

1st  James  II.,  cap.  1. 

This  important  act  was  revived  and  continued  by  James  II. 
(1685)  as  a  great  benefit  to  the  country,  lest  "this  kingdom  be  de- 


A  History  of  Coinage.  23 

prived  for  the  future  of  so  great  a  good  as  it  liath  thereby  for  those 
years  last  past  enjoyed;"  and  also  by  William  III.,  in  whose  reign 
(iG89-l702)  several  acts  were  passed  to  improve  the  coinage,  and 
punish  those  guilty  of  clipping  the  coin.  In  the  reign  of  George 
III.,  at  the  instance  of  Lord  Liverpool,  a  seignorage  was  again  put 
upon  silver,  and  so  much  of  the  act  of  Charles  II.  as  related  to  coin- 
ing silver  brought  to  the  mint  without  charge  was  repealed,  as  well 
as  a  former  act  of  George  III.,  which  required  sixty-two  shillings  to 
be  coined  out  of  every  lb,  troy  of  silver. 

'iith  George  III.,  cap.  42. 

I3y  the  act  5Gth  George  III.  (1816),  cap.  68,  it  was  enacted  that 
the  pound  of  silver  should  be  coined  into  66  shillings,  "  of  which  62 
shillings  per  lb.  shall  be  delivered  to  the  importer,  and  4  shillings 
retained  for  assaying,  loss,  and  coinage ; "  and  any  surplus,  after  de- 
fraying these  charges,  was  ordered  to  be  carried  to  the  consolidated 
fund.  It  was  further  enacted  that  old  silver  coin  of  the  realm 
brought  to  the  mint  may  be  exchanged  for  its  full  nominal  value  in 
new  silver  coin;  but  in  effect  this  act  destroyed  all  temptation  on 
the  part  of  the  public  to  coin  silver,  and  consequently  that  branch 
of  the  coinage  now  devolves  on  the  crown. 

At  the  same  time  that  the  silver  currency  was  depreciated 
(though  coined  of  the  legal  standard  of  fineness),  the  legal  tender  was 
reduced  from  L.25  to  4U  shillings,  and  so  remains  to  this  day.  For- 
merly, gold  and  silver  respectively  were  tenders  to  any  amount; 
but,  as  the  act  declares,  "great  inconvenience  having  arisen  from 
both  these  precious  metals  being  concurrently  the  standard  measure 
of  value,  and  equivalent  of  ])roperty,"  gold  coin  was  declared  to  be 
liereafter  the  only  legal  tender  and  measure  of  value. 

1th  William  IV.,  cap.  9  (1837). 

The  amount  realized  by  the  seignorage  was  formerly  retained  bj'- 
the  master  of  the  mint  to  defray  the  expenses  of  coinage,  agreeably 
to  the  act,  and  the  surplus  paid  to  the  public  account ;  but  by  a  sub- 
sequent act  of  William  IV.  (1837),  to  i-eguiate  the  financial  arrange- 
ment of  the  mint,  the  seignorage  was  required  to  be  paid  into  the 
bank  to  the  credit  of  the  consolidated  fund,  and  the  charges  of  the 
mint  to  be  brought  annually  before  parliament. 

When  the  market  price  of  silver  is  5s,  per  ounce,  the  seignorage 
is  equivalent  to  precisely  ten  per  cent,  (the  cost  of  coinage  being 
about  2  per  cent.),  and  hence  there  is  a  very  large  apparent  ])rotit  to 
the  crown ;  but  as  the  governniL'nt  is  subject  to  the  renewal  of  the 
silver  currency,  and  to  the  great  loss  accruing  from  the  wear  of  the 
coin,  and  consequent  diminution  of  tlie  weight,  the  gain  from  this 
source  eventually  cannot  be  considerable. 

The  following  table  will  succinctly  afford  a  view  of  the  seignorage 
on  gold  and  silver  from  as  early  a  period  as  can  be  obtained : 


24 


A  History  of  Coinage. 


Table  to  show  the  Seignobage  on  teie  Coinage,  from  the  Reign  of  Edward 
JII.  TO  THE  Reign  of  Victoria;  and  the  Variations  in  the  Value  of  Gold 

AND  Silver. 


One  lb. 

of 

Seignor 

ige 

Allowance 

One  lb. 

of 

Sei 

rnorago 

Allowance 

REIGN. 

Sold 

of  th 

to  Master 

Silve 

r 

( 

f  the 

to  Master 

coir 

ed  into 

Crown. 

of  Mint. 

coined  into 

C 

rown. 

of  Mint. 

£ 

s. 

d. 

£    s. 

d. 

£    s.     d. 

£    s. 

d. 

£ 

a.    d. 

£    «.    d. 

30th  Kdwanl  III.... 

l.T 

0 

0 

0      6 

8 

0    1      2 

1       5 

0 

0 

0    9} 

0    0      6J 

Henry  VI 

22 

10 

0 

0    13 

0 

0     2       6 

1     10 

0 

0 

2    0 

0    0      7 

lU-niv  Vlll... 

n 

10 

0 

0      2 

6 

0     1     10 

2      5 

0 

0 

I     0 

0    0    10 

84th           Do. 

28 

16 

0 

1      4 

0 

0    3      4 

2      8 

0 

0 

8    0 

0    2      4 

86th           Tio. 

80 

0 

0 

2    10 

0 

4    16 

0 

2 

0    0 

87th           Do. 

30 

0 

0 

5      2 

0 

Edward  VI   ... 

34 

0 

0 

1      0 

0 

7   "4' 

0 

4 

'4"  0 

6th          Do 

36 

0 

0 

0      2 

9 

14      8 

0 

8 

8      0 

19th  Elizabeth   . . 

86 

0 

0 

2      7 

0 

0  "i"   6 

3      0 

0 

0 

1      6 

2.5lh          Do 

30 

0 

0 

0      6 

0 

0    4      9 

3      0 

0 

0 

1     10 

27th          Do 

33 

0 

0 

0      7 

0 

0    6      9 

48i1           Do 

33 

10 

0 

0    10 

0 

0    5      9 

3  "2' 

0 

0 

2"  0 

James  I 

40 

10 

0 

1     10 

0 

0    G      5 

3      2 

9 

0 

2      6 

10th       Do 

44 

10 

0 

2      5 

0 

0    6      0 

nth       Do 

44 

10 

0 

1      1 

0 

0    6      0 

Ohailes  I 

41 

0 

0 

1      1 

5 

0    6      5 

8  "2' 

0 

0 

'2"  0 

1650  Oominonweulth 

41 

0 

0 

0    15 

0 

0    2      5 

Charles  II   . .    . 

44 

10 

0 

Nil. 

0    2      5 

3  "2' 

0 

George  I 

46 

14 

6 

Do. 

8      6 

0 

0 

'4"  0 

Victoria 

46 

14 

6 

Do. 

3      6 

0 

0 

4      0 

As  a  collateral  branch  of  the  subject,  it  is  of  some  interest  to  in- 
quire how  bullion  was  supplied  to  the  mint  to  be  coined  into  money. 

Supply  of  bullion. 

As  we  have  seen,  Strabo  and  Tacitus  speak  confidently  of  an- 
cient BiiiTAiN  having  produced  abundantly  gold,  silver,  and  other 
precious  metals,  the  reputation  of  which  afforded  an  incitement  to 
conquest ;  while  Suetonius  ascribes  to  the  pearls  of  Bkitaix  the 
temptation  as  well  as  reward  to  Julius  C^sar  to  visit  the  wild, 
barbarous,  and  inhospitable  regions  of  the  north.  Probably  both 
assertions  are  equally  without  foundation,  originating  in  the  fabulous 
character  given  to  distant  and  unknown  countries. 

So  far  from  the  Britons  being  skillful  in  mining  (who  could  not 
so  much  as  clothe  themselves  with  any  art  higlier  than  barbarians), 
it  is  said  that  the  brass  or  copper  out  of  which  their  rude  money 
was  fabricated  came  from  abroad,  and  that  of  iron  they  produced  an 
inconsiderable  quantity,  though  both  iron  and  copper  abound  in 
England  and  Wales. 

It  ai)pears  that  from  an  early  ])eriod  silver  was  found  in  Britain, 
wliicli  ])robably  was  extracted  from  tlie  leatl  mines  ;  for  it  is  asserted 
that  the  art  or  process  of  separating  silver  from  lead  was  discovered 
and  practised  in  times  very  remote.  But  on  this  head  our  rt'searches 
have  not  brought  to  light  accurate  intbrmation,  and  j)erhaps  the 
inquiiy  would  be  deemed  more  curious  than  profitable. 

In  the  reign  of  Edward  I.  (1272-1307),  silver  was  discovered  in 
Devonsihiie,  probably  com\)ined  with  lead  ;  and  as  there  existed 
a  great  scarcity  of  bullion,  the  laws  enacted  with   regard  to  mines 


A  History  of  Coinage.  26 

•were  exceedingly  strict  in  requiring  the  silver  to  be  brought  to  the 
mints  for  coinage  ;  and  of  the  produce  of  the  mines,  the  king  claimed 
I'd,  while  the  other  |ds  wore  granted  to  the  owner  of  the  soil.  At 
this  period  a  considerable  amount  of  foreign  bullion  aj^pears  to  have 
been  purchased  for  the  mint,  according  to  the  account  of  William 
DE  Wtiionduaai,  warden  of  the  mint.  The  scarcity  of  the  precious 
metals  seems  to  have  induced  all  manner  of  fraud  to  be  perpetrated 
by  those  who  worked  in  metals  ;  and  accordingly  an  act  of  Edward 
I.  commands  that  all  vessels  of  gold  shall  be  assayed,  touched,  and 
marked,  and  that  "  none  shall  from  henceforth  make  or  cause  to  be 
made  any  manner  of  vessel,  jewel,  or  any  other  thing  of  gold  or  sil- 
ver, except  it  be  of  good  and  true  alloy,  that  is  to  say,  gold  of  a 
certain  touch,  and  silver  of  the  sterling  alloy,  and  that  none  work 
Avorse  silver  than  money.  And  that  no  manner  of  vessel  of  silver 
depart  out  of  the  hands  of  the  workers  until  it  be  assaied  by  the  war- 
dens of  the  craft ;  and  further  that  it  be  marked  with  the  leopard'8 
head.  And  that  they  work  no  worse  gold  than  of  the  touch  of 
Paris."  By  the  laws  of  Edward  III.  (1327-J377),  goldsmiths  are 
forbidden  to  melt  sterling  farthings  or  halfpennies  to  make  into  ves- 
sels ;  none  are  permitted  without  the  king's  license  to  convey  gold 
or  silver  forth  of  the  realm  ;  no  false  money  or  counterfeit  sterling 
is  allowed  to  be  brought  into  the  kingdom  to  defraud  the  people  ; 
and  to  encourage  coinage,  "  all  people  of  what  realm  or  dominion 
they  be,  may  safely  bring  to  the  exchanges,  and  to  no  place  else, 
bullion,  silver  in  plate,  vessel  of  silver,  and  all  manner  of  money 
of  silver  of  what  value  soever  it  be,  and  there  receive  good  and  con- 
venient exchange."  By  another  act  it  is  rendered  unlawtul  to  ex- 
change money,  or  derive  any  profit  therefrom,  except  the  king's  ex- 
changers ;  and  "  it  is  accorded,  that  the  money  of  gold  and  silver, 
which  now  runneth,  shall  not  be  impaired  in  weight  nor  in  alloy  ;  but 
as  soon  as  a  good  way  may  be  found,  the  same  be  put  in  the  ancient 
state  as  in  the  sterling."  And  it  is  requii-ed,  that  the  moneyers  and 
other  wardens  and  ministers  of  the  money  shall  receive  plate  of  gold 
and  silver  by  the  weight,  and  in  the  same  manner  shall  deliver  the 
money  when  it  shall  be  made. 

In  consequence  of  the  great  scarcity  prevailing  of  halfpence  and 
farthings  of  silver,  it  is  enacted  by  a  law  of  Henry  lY.  (1399-1413), 
that  a  third  i)art  of  the  silver  "  brought  to  the  bullion  "  be  coined 
into  tliese  denominations,  and  goldsmiths  and  others  are  forbidden 
to  melt  them.  And  it  is  ordained  by  the  same  monarch,  "  that  none 
from  henceforth  shall  use  to  multiply  gold  or  silver,  nor  use  the  craft 
of  multiplication ;  and  if  any  the  same  do,  that  he  incur  the  pain  of 
felony  in  this  case." 

JSenry  V. 

A  singular  law  of  Henry  V.  (1413-1422),  ordains  that  every 
foreign  merchant  buying  wool  in  England  to  carry  it  abroad,  shall 
biing  to  the  master  of  the  mint  for  every  sack  one  ounce  of  bullion 
of  gold,  and  for  every  three  pieces  of  tin  an  ounce  of  gold,  or  the 


26  A  History  of  Coinage. 

value  in  bullion  of  silver,  upon  pain  of  forfeiture.  And  that  no 
English  gold  shall  be  received  in  payment  but  by  the  king's  weight ; 
a  great  part  of  the  gold  current  being  of  light  weiglit,  and  of  inferior 
qmility ;  and  to  remedy  this  great  evil,  the  king  offers  pardon  to  all 
his  lief'es  who  shall  brinsr  the  same  to  the  mint  to  be  made  into  new 
money, 

Henry  VI. 

In  the  reign  of  Henry  VI.  (1422-1461),  it  is  enacted  to  the  in- 
tent that  more  bullion  be  brought  to  the  mint  and  coined,  that  the 
master  of  the  mint  "keep  his  alloy  in  the  making  of  white  money 
according  to  the  form  of  his  indenture."  And  he  is  required  to 
strike,  from  time  to  time,  half  nobles,  ,/arM.m^-s  of  gold,  groats,  half 
groats,  pence,  halfpence,  and  fartliings,  for  the  ease  of  the  people, 
according  to  the  tenure  of  the  indenture  betwixt  the  king  and  him." 

These  and  other  laws  up  to  the  time  of  Elizabeth  (1558),  were 
passed  with  the  view  of  encouraging  coinage,  intimidating  false 
coiners  and  clippers  of  coin,  and  securing  bullion  for  the  mint ;  but 
their  operation  must,  to  a  great  extent,  have  been  inefiectual ;  for  as 
respects  coining,  the  inducement  was  such  that  no  merchant  would 
have  taken  his  bullion  to  the  mint  except  by  compulsion,  as  he  was 
not  only  subjected  to  all  the  charges  of  coinage,  but  likewise  had  to 
pay  the  king's  seignorage — his  gold  or  silver  being  returned  to  him 
in  coined  money,  less  these  onerous  exactions.  The  profit  must, 
therefore,  have  been  uncertain;  but,  probably  from  finding  no  ready 
market  for  his  precious  ware,  and  the  laws  being  stringent  against 
exportation  of  coin  and  bullion,  he  had  no  alternative  but  to  take  it 
to  the  mint.  As  the  population  and  wealth  of  the  country  increased, 
there  appears  to  have  been  difficulty  in  supplying  the  country  with 
monev,  and  hence  the  crown  from  time  to  time  was  induced  to  re- 
mit or  diminish  both  the  seignorage  and  the  mint  charge. 

James  I. 

In  the  reign  of  James  I.  (1603-1025),  the  lead  mines  of  Wales 
were  discovered  by  Sir  Hugh  Middletox,  and  the  silver  from  that 
source  was  coined  into  money. 

With  regard  to  gold,  of  which  probably  very  little  existed  in 
England  in  former  times,  it  is  said  that  none  was  coined  until  the 
reign  of  Edward  HI.  (1327),  when  the  first  entry  of  its  being  brought 
for  coinage  remains  on  record.  But  we  may  more  strictly  date  the 
coinage  of  that  metal  from  the  reign  of  Henry  HI.  (1216).  As  we 
previously  observed,  the  gold  of  that  period  was  coined  at  24  carats 
line,  or  pure  gold,  and  so  continued  at  that  standard  till  the  eight- 
eenth year  oi'  Edward  III.  (1345),  when  it  fell  to  23  carats  'i\  grs. 
and  1  carat  grain  of  alloy;  caused,  no  doubt,  by  the  extreme  diffi- 
culty, if  not  impossibility,  of  obtaining  gold,  by  refining  or  other- 
wise, of  a  quality  so  superior;  for  it  may  be  inferred  that  whatever 
may  have  been  the  process  of  refining  pursued  in  those  times,  by 
fire  or  by  water,  there  existed  some  method  of  purifying  gold  as 


A  History  of  Coinage.  27 

well  as  silver,  though  no  authentic  knowledge  of  it  has  descended 
to  us. 

Tlie  high  standard  referred  to,  not  exceeded  by  any  other  coins 
known,  continued  to  prevail  till  the  reign  of  IIexkt  VIII.  (1509), 
who,  to  augment  his  revenue,  corrupted  the  whole  currency,  and 
reduced  some  of  his  gold  coin  as  low  as  20  carats  fine.  He  likewise 
coined  crowns  of  gold  of  the  standard  of  22  carats  fine,  which  sub- 
sequently took  the  name  of  crown  gold,  and  which,  in  the  reign  of 
CiiAKLEs  II.  (1660-1685),  was  made  by  law  the  sole  standard  of 
gold  in  England,  and  so  continues  to  this  day.  We  find  that  money 
of  both  qualities  circulated  iu  England  till  the  reign  of  the  latter 
monarch. 

The  difficulty  refeiTcd  to  in  supplying  the  mint  with  bullion  now 
no  longer  exists,  while  the  various  expedients  adopted  to  induce  it 
to  come  to  the  mint  are  no  longer  necessary.  When  silver  coin  is 
required  by  the  public,  the  master  of  the  mint  orders  a  supply  of 
bullion,  in  bars  or  foreign  coin,  to  be  purchased  in  the  market,  which 
he  pays  for  by  a  draft  on  the  Bank  of  England.  When  gold  coin 
is  called  for,  the  bank,  on  the  contrary,  sends  bullion  to  the  mint  for 
coinage,  and  supplies  the  public  exigencies ;  for  it  may  be  remarked 
that  since  the  merchant  was  enabled  by  law  to  I'eceive  at  the  bank 
the  fixed  rate  of  L.3,  17s.  9d.  an  ounce  standard  for  his  bullion,  the 
temptation  to  employ  the  mint  ceased  ;  because,  as  the  mint  price 
for  gold  is  L.3, 17s.  10|^d,  an  ounce,  the  difference  was  found  scarcely 
sufficient  to  cover  the  loss  of  interest  on  capital. 


Premium  on  Gold  and  Silver. 

In  modern  times  the  market  value  of  gold  and  silver  has  remained 
almost  stationary  for  some  years,  and  consequently  the  relative  pro- 
portion of  oue  metal  to  the  other  has  scarcely  varied.  This  fact 
proves  that  the  supply  and  demand  have  been  uniform ;  but  now 
we  have  some  evidence  of  disturbing  causes,  in  the  i-eeent  marvelous 
discoveries  of  gold  in  California  and  Australia,  which  may  event- 
ually destroy  the  equilibrium;  and  as  the  discoveiy  of  America  and 
its  treasures  of  silver  gradually  altered  the  relative  proportions  of 
the  precious  metals,  so  may  recent  discoveries  in  course  of  time 
effect  a  similar  change.  Remarkable,  indeed,  would  it  be,  if  the  causes 
referred  to  were  eventually  to  reduce  the  jjroportion  of  15  to  1,  the 
average  of  modern  times,  to  9  to  1,  the  proponion  calculated  by 
good  authorities  to  have  existed  in  the  reign  of  Henry  I.  The  fol- 
lowing table  shows  the  approximate  relative  value  from  the  reign 
of  that  monarch  to  that  of  Victoria;  and  it  may  be  deduced  from 
it,  that  the  rise  in  the  value  of  gold  from  the  accession  of  James  I. 
to  Chaiiles  II.  was  equal  to  32  per  cent. ;  and  from  Charles  H.  to 
George  III. — a  period  of  135  years — no  less  than  39|f*per  cent. 


28  A  History  of  Coinage. 

Relative  proportio7i  of  Silver  to  Gold,  from  the  reign  of  Henry  I. 
(1100)  to  the  reign  of  Victoria  (1837). 

REIGN.  Years.  Proportion  of  Silver  to  Gold.    Standard  of  Gold. 

Henry  1 1100-1135  ..9  to  1  24  carats. 

Henry  III 1216-1272  ..10  ..1 

Edward  III 1.327-1377  ..12  ..1  23     V,\ 

Henry  VI 1422-U61  ..10  ..1 

Edward  IV 1461-1483  ..      11151-955  ..1 

Henry  VIII 1509-1543  ..      1159-220  ..1  22      .. 

34th  Do 1543  ..      10  10-23  ..    1    ' 

36th  Do 1545  ..        6  9-11  ..1 

37th  Do 1546  ,.5  ..1 

3d  Edward  VI 1550  . ,       5  5-33  . .   1 

4th  Do 1551  ..        4  788-955  ..1 

5th  Do 1552  ..       2  394-955  ..1 

f  ..11  117-955  ..1  23      3^ 

6thDo 1553     j  __     \\\.\Q  ..1  22      .. 

Elizabeth 1558  ,.11  ..1 

43d  Do 1601  ..10  ..1 

JamesI 1603-1625  ..      12  ..    1 

CharlesII .1(60-1685  ..      14  331-682     ..1 

William  and  Mary 1689-1702  ..15  ..1 

George  1 1714-1727  ..     15  ..1 

56th  George  III 1760-1820  ..      14  288-1000..   1 

Victoria 1837  ..15  ..1 

Materials  of  Money. 

Among  the  Anglo-Saxoxs,  silver  and  brass  formed  the  material 
of  money  coined  by  them,  though  foreign  gold  circulated  to  a  lim- 
ited extent;  but,  says  Ruding,  "the  use  of  the  latter  appears  to 
have  been  rejected  by  the  Anglo-Norman  monarchs,  and  silver  be- 
came the  sole  material  of  coinage  for  a  long-extended  period,  until 
the  more  precious  metal,  gold,  was  introduced  into  the  mint  by 
Henry  III.  (1216).  The  penny  was  consequently  the  lowest  coin 
until  the  reigu  of  Edward  I.  (1272),  and  afterwards  farthings  were 
coined  in  silver,  and  so  continued  as  long  as  the  increased  value  of 
silver  allowed,  but  at  length  their  size  of  necessity  so  much  dimin- 
ished, that  the  making  of  them  ceased  in  the  reign  of  Edward  VI. 
(1547).  Gold  and  silver,  therefore,  formed  the  only  coins  during 
several  centuries,  to  the  great  inconvenience  of  the  people,  who  re- 
quired for  their  ordinary  purchases  money  of  a  lower  denomination; 
and  it  has  been  conjectured  that  some  kind  of  metallic  tokens  circu- 
lated, as  a  substitute  ;  for  it  is  not  possible  a  nation  could  carry  on 
the  daily  transactions  of  life  without  some  medium  of  exchange  pro- 
portionate to  the  low  value  of  all  the  necessaries  of  life. 

We  find  that  James  I.  (1G07-1625),  to  remedy  this  evil,  caused 
tokens  of  brass  and  copper  to  be  struck  as  a  substitute  for  the  far- 


A  History/  of  Comage.  29 

thing,  but  at  a  value  so  much  inferior  to  the  rate  at  which  they  were 
issued,  that  they  rapidly  sunk  into  contempt. 

Charles  II.  (1665-1 6*72),  among  other  great  improvements,  has 
the  mei-it  awarded  to  him  of  introducing  a  new  coinage  of  copper, 
which  was  issued  under  certain  limitations.  In  the  year  1684  it  ap- 
pears some  coins  were  also  fabricated  of  tin  ;  and  James  II.  coined 
others  of  gun-metal  and  pewter. 

Mecoinage  of  Silver. 

After  the  changes  effected  in  the  mint  in  the  reign  of  Charles 
II.  (1660-1685),  by  the  adoption  of  improved  mechanical  contri- 
vances— which  caused  a  revolution  in  the  various  processes  of  coin- 
age, and  a  change  in  the  duties  of  the  moneyers  and  others  engaged 
in  the  mint,  as  well  as  a  great  reduction  in  the  rate  per  pound  paid 
to  the  master  of  the  mint,  and  to  the  moneyers,  by  reason  of  the 
rapidity  and  economy  resulting  from  the  new  machinery — we  have 
no  great  event  to  record  till  the  reign  of  William  III.  (1689-1702), 
Avhen  a  great  recoinage  of  silver  took  place,  and  when  some  important 
laws  were  enacted  for  the  improvement  and  regulation  of  the  cur- 
rency. Notwithstanding  the  recoinage  of  the  money  of  the  common- 
wealth under  Charles  II.,  and  the  act  for  the  encouragement  of 
coinage,  the  silver  money  at  that  period  appears  to  have  been 
greatly  depreciated  ;  partly  by  base  money  circulating  with  the 
silver,  but  chiefly  by  a  great  loss  of  weight  caused  by  the  dishonest 
practice  of  clipping  and  defacing  the  coin  of  the  realm.  The  extent 
of  the  evil  may  be  estimated  by  the  fact,  that  no  less  a  sum  than 
L.  7,000,000  sterling  was  coined  in  silver,  the  expenses  of  which  were 
defrayed  out  of  certain  duties  levied  for  that  purpose.  This  under- 
taking being  beyond  the  capacity  of  the  mint  in  London,  other 
estabtishm.enls  were  instituted  or  revived,  so  that  the  coinage  should 
keep  pace  with  the  money  brought  in  to  be  exchanged.  "  The  king," 
says  Hume,  "  ordered  mints  to  be  erected  in  York,  Bristol,  Exe- 
ter, and  Chester,  for  the  purpose  of  the  recoinage,  wliich  was 
executed  Avith  unexpected  success  ;  so  that  in  less  than  a  year,  the 
currency  of  England,  which  had  been  the  worst,  became  the  best, 
coin  in  Europe." 

The  state  of  the  coin  had  previously  become  a  national  grievance, 
so  intolerable,  that  it  could  not  escape  the  attention  of  parliament ; 
and  accordingly  a  committee  of  the  commons'  house  was  appointed 
to  deliberate  on  the  state  of  the  nation  with  respect  to  the  currency. 
A  recoinage  was  strenuously  recommended  by  Mr.  Montague,  Avho 
acted  on  tbis  occasion  by  tlie  advice  of  Sir  Isaac  Newton  (1700- 
1710) ;  but  vehement  opposition  was  made  to  that  pi'oposal  by  a  large 
section  of  the  house  and  of  the  people,  "Another  question  arose," 
says  Hume,  "  whether  the  new  coin  in  its  different  denominations 
should  retain  the  original  weight  and  purity  of  the  old,  or  the  estab- 
lished standard  be  raised  in  value.  The  famous  Locke  engaged  in 
this  dispute,  against  Mr.  Lowndes,  who  pxoposcd  that  the  standard 


30  A  History  of  Coinage. 

should  be  raised.  The  arguments  of  Mr.  Locke  were  so  convincing, 
tliat  tlie  committee  resolved  the  estal)lished  standard  should  be  pre- 
served with  respect  to  weight  and  fineness.  They  likewise  resolved, 
that  the  loss  accruing  to  the  revenue  from  clipped  money  should  be 
borne  by  the  public."  To  meet  this,  a  tax  on  glass  windows  was 
subsequently  raised  to  the  amount  of  L.l, 200,000. 

In  order  to  facilitate  and  hasten  the  exchange  of  coin,  a  reward 
of  5  per  cent,  was  ottered  to  all  who  should  bring  in  either  milled  or 
broad  undipped  money,  to  be  applied  in  exchange  of  tlie  clij^ped 
money  throughout  the  kingdom.  A  reward  of  3d.  an  ounce  was  also 
ottered  to  all  persons  who  should  bring  wrought  plate  to  the  mint 
to  be  coined. 

A  bill  was  likewise  brought  in  for  taking  off"  the  obligation  and 
encouragement  for  coining  guineas  for  a  certain  period.  "Upon 
which,"  says  Hume,  "  the  commons  proceeded  to  lower  the  value  of 
this  coin  ;  a  task  in  which  they  met  with  great  opposition  from  some 
members,  who  alleged  that  it  would  foment  the  popular  disturbances. 
At  length,  however,  the  majority  agreed  that  a  guinea  should  be 
lowered  from  30s.  to  28s.,  and  afterwards  to  26s.  Eventually  a  clause 
was  inserted  in  the  bill  for  encouraging  people  to  bring  plate  to  the 
mint,  settling  the  price  of  a  guinea  at  228. ;  and  it  naturally  sunk  to 
its  original  value  of  20s.  6d." 

In  the  great  conti'oversy  on  the  restoration  of  the  currency  at 
that  time,  Mr.  Lowndes,  who  diflTered  from  Mr.  Locke,  wished  to 
ex;ecute  the  coinage  at  a  rate  per  ounce  conformable  to  the  market 
price  of  silver,  so  that  the  new  currency,  we  apprehend,  should  form 
the  standard  of  value ;  overlooking  the  fact,  that  the  market  price 
exceeding  the  mint  j^rice  arose  from  the  deficiency  in  the  weight  of 
those  coins  by  which  silver  was  bought  and  sold.  "3Ir.  Locke," 
says  a  Avriter  on  the  subject,  "  with  that  acuteness  for  which  he  was 
so  justly  esteemed,  contended  that  if  5s.  2d.  of  the  coin  weighed  an 
ounce,  that  would  necessarily  be  the  market  price  of  silver ;  and 
that  its  high  price  arose  from  6s.  4d.  of  the  tlien  currency  containing 
no  more  than  an  ounce  of  standard  silver.  Consequently,  if  the  coin- 
age were  executed  at  a  higher  rate  than  the  standard  of  the  46th  of 
Elizabeth,  or  5s.  2d.  an  ounce,  it  would  be  done  at  the  expense  of 
that  justice  and  integrity  between  the  government  and  the  people 
whicli  no  government  would  sanction  that  regarded  the  rights  of 
personal  property.  Mr.  Locke's  arguments  were  so  decidedly  just, 
and  so  convincing,  that  the  government  carried  the  whole  nation 
with  them  in  the  measure,  though  it  was  heavily  felt,  owing  to  the 
exhausted  state  of  the  country,  after  the  long  and  expensive  war  it 
had  been  involved  in." 

Despite  Locke's  arguments,  and  the  policy  founded  upon  them, 
soon  after  the  great  coinage  was  completed  the  market  price  exceed- 
M  the  mint  price  of  silver;  the  consequence  of  which  was  the  rapid 
disappearance  of  the  new  coins,  which  found  their  way  to  the  melting- 
pot,  and  Avere  sold  in  bars  in  the  market.     Hence   before   the   year 


A  History  of  Coinage.  31 

1717  the  greater  portion  of  the  recoinage  had  disappeared  from  cir- 
culation, to  the  detriment  of  the  reahn. 

Sir  Isaac  Newton,  in  September,  1717,  delivered  in  his  report 
on  the  subject  to  the  Lords  of  the  Treasury,  in  which  he  gives  it  as 
his  opinion  that  gold  was  considerably  overrated  in  the  mint  with 
respect  to  silver  ;"and  in  consequence  of  this  report,  the  guinea  was 
by  proclamation  declared  current  at  21s.  This  reduction  helped  the 
relative  proportion  of  gold  to  silver  to  approximate  nearer  to  those 
of  the  market  prices ;  and  as  tlie  avowed  intention  of  Newtox's 
report  was  to  give  that  rise  in  value  to  the  silver  coin  which  would 
protect  it  from  being  melted  down,  it  appears  to  have  answei-ed  its 
purpose,  but  only  in  degree.  For  "though  the  recommendation  in 
Sir  Isaac  Newton's  report,"  says  the  above  authority, "  was  carried 
into  effect  by  making  the  guinea  current  at  21s.,  yet  it  did  not 
restore  silver  to  its  function  as  the  standard  of  our  money,  and  this 
because  the  current  value  was  not  made  lower.  Sir  Isaac  Newton" 
seemed  aware  of  this  himself,  and  recommended  that  lOd.  or  12d. 
should  be  taken  from  the  guinea,  instead  of  6d.  This,  however,  was 
not  done  ;  and  as  the  rate  of  21s.  to  the  guinea,  the  proportion  of 
standard  gold  to  silver  at  the  mint,  w^as  as  15'07  to  1,  the  proportion 
of  the  market  (as  we  find  by  the  prices  of  gold  and  silver)  was  about 
14-50  to  1 — which  constitutes  a  difference  of  about  3  per  cent.,  gold 
being  still  thus  much  rated  above  its  value  to  silver ;  and  consequent- 
ly not  only  Avas  no  silver  coined,  but  the  good  and  heavy  coins  were 
still  melted  for  the  higher  price  they  brought  in  the  state  of  bul- 
lion." 

No  other  legislative  measure  having  been  taken  than  the  one  re- 
ferred to,  and  the  market  proportion  of  gold  to  silver  having  seldom 
afforded  any  encouragement  to  the  public  to  coin  silver,  we  can  have 
no  difficulty  in  assigning  a  satisfactory  reason  for  the  degraded  state 
of  our  silver  currency  during  the  last  century,  and  up  to  1815. 

Recoinage  of  Gold,  1774. 

In  the  year  1774  (George  III.)  and  onwards,  there  was  a  general 
recoinage  of  the  gold  currency,  which  forms  another  prominent  fea- 
ture in  the  history  of  the  mint.  The  professed  object  of  tliis  under- 
taking was  the  reformation  of  the  currency,  by  withdrawing  the  light 
and  defective  coins  then  in  circulation  ;  but  the  real  motive  was  to 
prevent,  if  possible,  the  new  and  heavy  coins  issued  from  the  mint 
being  melted  down  and  sold  as  bullion.  For,  by  reference  to  the  prices 
paid  by  the  Baxk  of  England  for  gold,  it  appears  that  80s.  an  ounce 
was  the  market  value,  while,  at  the  same  time,  L.4  of  the  gold  coin  then 
circulating  would  not  weigh  more  than  one  ounce.  The  holders  of 
bank-notes  demanded  in  payment  neu'  and  heavy  coins,  which  were 
immediately  turned  into  bullion,  and  sold  at  the  rate  of  SOs.  an  ounce  ; 
and  this  being  done  on  an  extensive  scale,  the  bank  was  compelled 
to  have  annually  a  large  coinage  of  gold  to  meet  the  demand.  To 
remedy  this  inconvenience,  the  recoinage  was  undertaken  and  com- 


32  A  History  of  Coinage. 

pleled,  and  It  had  the  cifcct  anticipated;  for  the  price  of  gold  since 
that  period  has  rarely  ever  exceeded,  but  has  generally  been  under 
the  mint  price.  In  truth,  as  the  price  at  which  the  bank  purchases 
gold  is  fixed  by  act  of  parliament,  and  as  the  bank  is  compelled  to 
buy  all  gold  tendered  to  it  at  the  price  of  77s.  9d.  an  ounce  standard, 
some  naturally  enough  question  the  fact  that  we  have  any  market 
price  for  gold  bullion  in  England.  There  cannot  be  a  doubt,  however, 
but  for  that  law  the  price  of  gold  would  have  fluctuated  as  other 
things,  according  to  the  supply  and  demand;  and  it  cannot  but  be 
deemed  a  great  benefit  to  commercial  interests  to  have,  by  means  so 
simple,  a  ready  and  constant  market  for  their  bullion,  at  a  price  reg- 
ular and  certain. 

Political  economists  disagree  as  to  the  cause  of  the  liigh  price  of 
gold  previously  to  the  recoinage  refen-ed  to.  That  eminent  author- 
ity, Adam  Smith,  offers  the  following  solution  : — "  By  issuing  too 
great  a  quantity  of  paper,  of  which  the  excess  was  continually  return- 
ing, in  order  to  be  exchanged  for  gold  and  silver,  the  Bank  of  Eng- 
land was  for  many  years  together  obliged  to  coin  gold  to  the  extent 
of  between  eight  hundred  thousand  and  a  million  a-year,  or  at  an 
average  about  eight  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  pounds.  For  this 
great  coinage,  the  bank,  in  consequence  of  the  worn  and  degraded 
state  into  which  the  gold  coin  had  fallen  a  few  years  ago,  was  obliged 
frequently  to  purchase  bullion  at  the  high  price  of  L.4  an  ounce, 
which  it  soon  after  issued  in  coin  at  L.3,  17s.  lO^d.  an  ounce,  losing 
in  this  manner  between  2^  and  3  per  cent,  upon  the  coinage  of  ^  very 
large  a  sum.  Though  the  bank,  therefore,  paid  no  seignorage,  though 
the  government  was  properly  at  the  expense  of  the  coinage,  this  lib- 
erality of  government  did  not  prevent  altogether  the  expense  of  the 
bank."  Upon  this  passage  Ricaedo  justly  remarks,  "On  the  prin- 
ciple above  stated  it  appears  most  clear,  that  by  not  re-issuing  the 
paper  thus  brought  in,  the  value  of  the  whole  currency,  of  the  de- 
graded as  well  as  the  new  gold  coin,  woidd  have  been  raised,  when 
all  demands  on  the  bank  would  have  ceased,'"  or  in  other  words,  the 
price  of  gold  would  have  fallen  to  its  mint  price. 

During  the  period  of  these  important  transactions  the  constitution 
of  the  mint  remained  unaltei'ed,  Tiie  various  mints  throughout  the 
country  a])iK\ar  to  have  fallen  into  disuse  in  the  reign  of  Elizabeth, 
but  some  of  them  were  revived  and  reorganized  by  WiLLiA:sr  III.  in 
order  speedily  to  accomplish  the  great  recoinage  of  silver  during  his 
reign.  Subsequently  to  that  period  the  provincial  mints  were  abol- 
ished or  consolidated  with  that  in  the  Tower  of  London. 

In  the  year  of  1670;  the  Crown,  while  it  continued  his  salary  to 
the  master  of  the  mint,  restored  to  him  further  the  contract  for  melt- 
ing. On  the  other  hand,  an  agreement  was  entered  into  between 
the  master  and  company  of  moneyers,  according  to  ancient  custom, 
by  which  a  rate  per  pound,  graduated  to  each  denomination  of  mon- 
ey coined,  was  allowed  to  the  latter. 

In  1702  the  public  appear  to  have  assumed  the  expense  of  melting 
the  bullion  into  bars  in  order  to  bring  the  metal  to  standard,  provid- 


A  History  of  Coinage.  •        33 

ed  it  Avas  near  to  the  standard -when  imported  into  the  mint;  where- 
as previously,  it  is  thought,  this  preliminary  expense  was  borne  by 
the  individual  merchant  or  importer. 

In  1799  the  government  withdrew  altogether  from  the  master  of 
the  mint  the  lucrative  contract  for  melting,  and  wisely  vested  it  in 
a  subordinate  and  responsible  officer,  who,  assuming  all  risk  and 
waste,  on  consideration  of  certain  j^^o  rata  allowances,  relieved  the 
Crown,  the  master,  and  the  public,  from  all  responsibility  whatsoever  ; 
an  arrangement  obviously  founded  on  the  dictates  of  experience,  as 
it  is  also  consonant  with  the  principles  of  common  sense. 

In  the  course  of  this  century,  the  master,  who  had  previously 
been  a  permanent  officer  supervising  the  coinage,  and  possessing 
therefore  a  practical  knowledge  of  the  business,  gradually  became  a 
ministerial  officer,  and  quitted  office  on  any  change  of  government. 
The  duties  of  the  office  w^ere  in  this  manner  circumscribed,  and  more 
nominal  than  real;  the  de facto  government  of  the  mint  devolving 
on  a  deputy  whose  office  was  permanent. 

On  the  7th  February,  1798,  his  majesty  Geo.  III.,  by  an  order  in 
council,  appointed  a  committee  of  his  privy-council  "  to  take  into 
consideration  the  state  of  the  coins  of  this  kingdom,  and  the  present 
establishment  and  constitution  of  his  Majesty's  mint;"  and  the  re- 
sult of  their  inquiries  and  deliberation  was  to  advise  the  erection  of 
a  new  mint,  with  improved  machinery.  This  was  carried  into  etfect 
in  or  about  the  year  1810. 

The  old  mint,  which  had  existed  in  the  Tower  for  centuries,  was 
removed  to  a  more  spacious  building  on  Tower  Hill ;  and  the  cele- 
brated engineers,  Messrs.  Boultox  and  Watt,  of  Soho,  furnished  it 
with  engines  and  machinery  of  a  character  superior  to  any  thing 
known  at  that  time  in  connection  with  the  fabrication  of  money. 
The  steam-engine  was  substituted  for  horse-power,  and  most  of  the 
operations  carried  on  slowly  by  manual  laV)or  were  with  greater 
speed  and  perfection  effected  by  the  agency  of  those  ingenious  con- 
trivances, nice  adaptations,  and  superior  power,  called  forth  by  me- 
chanical skill  and  invention. 

Almost  simultaneous  with  the  erection  of  a  new  and  more  pow- 
erful mint,  a  new  coiistitution  and  indenture  were  given  to  it  in  1815,, 
founded  on  a  report  drawn  up  and  presented  to  the  committee  of  the 
privy-council  by  Mr.  W.  Wellesley  Pole  (afterwards  Lord  Mary 
borough),  who  had  been  appointed  master  of  the  mint  in  the  pre- 
ceding year.  These  changes  were  rendered  in  some  degree  neces- 
sary \)y  the  circumstances  of  the  case  :  by  the  enlarged  establishment ;. 
tlie  increased  duties  of  the  officers;  and  the  necessity  of  a  recoinage 
of  the  silver  currency,  as  well  as  the  introduction  of  new  denomina- 
tions of  gjld  coin.  The  new  organization  of  the  mint  consisted  prin- 
cipally of  an  a(haptation  and  enlai'gement  of  the  old  constitution, 
which,  like  that  of  the  state,  had  grown  up  by  degrees,  and  expand- 
ed with  the  wants  of  the  public  ;  and  like  the  constitution  of  the  state, 
it  exhibited,  on  minute  examination,  some  anomalies  and  contradic- 
tions incidental  to  its  origin.     To  the  same  cause  may  be  attributed. 


■5J4        •  A  History  of  Coinage. 

its  npparent  want  of  simplicity,  and  clear  definition  of  duties;  but 
as  It  was  found  by  e.\-i)erience  adequate  to  encounter  the  greatest  un- 
dertaking-s,  and  fully  sui)ply  the  public  demands — in  times,  too,  of 
great  difficulty  and  danger — we  may  justly  infer  that  if  it  were  found 
wanting  in  latter  times,  the  fault  should  ratlier  be  attributed  to  tlie 
management  than  to  the  constitution. 

During  the  fourteenth  and  fifteentli  centuries,  we  have  it  on  rec- 
ord that  a  mint-board  was  constituted  with  legislative  and  executive 
functions,  composed  of  the  tln-ee  heads  of  offices,  the  warden,  the 
master,  and  comptroller.  This  governitig  body  Avas  enlarged  by 
Lord  Maryborough,  and  consisted  of  the  master  ex  officio,  his  dep- 
nty  virtually  the  president,  the  comptroller,  the  king's  assay-master, 
the  superintendent  of  machinery  and  clerk  of  the  irons,  and,  finally, 
the  king's  clerk  and  clerk  of  the  papers,  who  acted  as  secretary  to 
the  board. 

In  the  operative  departments,  new  agreements  or  contracts  were 
entered  into  between  the  master  on  the  one  part,  and  the  moneyers, 
and  the  melter  and  refiner,  on  the  other;  the  latter  office  being  judi- 
ciously separated  from  that  of  the  deputy-master  and  his  duties,  with 
which  it  had  been  previously  conjoined.  These  agreements,  besides 
specifying  the  performance  of  duties  and  other  obligations,  secured 
certain  fixed  rates  of  payment  to  the  moneyers  and  melter,  for  each 
denomination  of  coin  delivered  into  the  office  of  receipt,  and  in  which 
rates  were  comprehended  the  repairs  of  machinery,  the  supply  of 
labor  and  materials,  as  well  as  the  waste  or  loss  accruing  in  the 
various  processes  of  coining  and  melting.  And  for  the  safety  of  the 
Crown  an<l  master  of  the  mint,  large  securities  were  required  from 
the  persons  holding  those  responsible  offices. 

The  fundamental  principles  had  in  view  by  Lord  Maryborougei, 
in  thus  remodeling  the  constitution  and  management  of  the  mint  in 
1815,  were  a  system  of  checks  so  perfect  and  complete,  as  to  render 
fraud  impossible  ;  an  arrangement  with  the  moneyers  and  melter, 
which  fully  secured  the  public  against  all  risk;  responsibility  in  each 
distinct  office  ;  and  greater  efficiency  and  despatch  as  regards  the 
coinage.  These  important  changes  having  been  satisfactorily  accom- 
plished, the  great  recoinage  of  silver  commenced  in  1816.  An  act 
was  passed  to  call  in  the  debased  coin  then  in  circulation  ;  and  it 
was  enacted  that  the  full  nominal  value  in  new  money  should  be  ex- 
changed for  the  old  silver  brouglit  to  the  mint,  and  the  treasury 
was  authorized  to  appoint  receivers  at  various  places  throughout  the 
kingdom. 

The  act  of  Ciiarlks  IL  as  to  coining  silver  brought  to  the  mint 
without  charge— the  7th  and  8th  of  Will.  IIL  (1696-1697)  relative  to 
tlie  weight  and  fineness  of  silver  coin,  under  the  mint  indenture — 
and  so  much  of  the  14th  of  Geo.  IIL  (1774),  cap.  42,  as  requires  62 
shillings  to  be  made  out  of  the  pound  troy  of  silver — were  i'epeale<l ; 
and  it  was  enacted,  that  the  ))()und  troy  of  standard  silver  should 
henceforth  be  coined  into  66  shillings,  of  whicli  62  shillings  shall  be 
delivered  to  the  importer,  and  4  shillings  retained  for  assaying,  loss, 


A  History  of  Coinage.  35 

and  eharofos  of  coinage;  the  surplus,  if  any,  to  be  carried  to  the  con- 
solidated fund.  The  act,  making  silver  a  tender  to  L,25,  and  after- 
wards by  weight,  was  also  repealed,  and  the  tender  of  this  depreci- 
ated currency  was  limited  to  40s. 

The  effect  of  these  acts  was,  first,  to  withdraw  any  inducement 
to  the  public  to  coin  silver ;  and  secondly,  to  circumscribe  the  circu- 
lation of  the  currency  in  silver  to  the  country,  where  it  became  a 
mere  token  exchangeable  for  a  limited  amount  of  gold.  Formerly, 
gold  and  silver  respectively  were  legal  tenders  to  any  amount ;  but 
by  the  56th  of  Geo.  III.,  cap.  68  (1816),  gold  coin  is  declared  to  be 
hereafter  the  only  legal  tender;  and  so  it  continues. 

In  the  year  1817  the  first  sovereigns  were  struck  at  the  new 
mint,  and  in  process  of  time  entirely  superseded  the  old  guinea  coin- 
age. The  mint  price  of  gold  being  L.3,  17s.  10-J-d.  an  ounce,  sovei'« 
eigns  were  coined  at  the  rate' of  L. 46,  14s.  6d.  to  the  pound  troy. 

Concurrently  with  the  erection  of  the  new  mint  in  Lo:NDO>r  (1807- 
1813),and  the  powerful  machinery  which  enabled  the  government  to 
prosecute  with  rapidity  and  success  large  coinages  of  both  silver  and 
gold,  a  refinery  was  established,  as  a  necessary  appendage  tp  sup]>ly  the 
mint  with  both  metals  in  a  fine  state,  to  counterbalance  the  baseness 
of  the  gold  and  silver  then  brought  to  the  mint,  so  as  to  bring  them 
up  to  standard  purity.  This  branch  of  business  proved  to  be  a  great 
undertaking  of  itself,  and  for  some  years  was  extensively  carried  on 
at  great  cost  to  the  public.  Coarse  silver  was  refined  on  the  test  by 
means  of  lead,  and  gold  by  the  agency  of  nitric  acid.  But  circum- 
stances of  a  peculiar  character  were  secretly  operating  to  destroy  the 
necessity  for  refining,  for  the  special  purpose  referred  to  ;  because 
these  tended  to  diminish  the  amount  of  coarse  metal  in  the  market, 
or  rather  to  supply  steadily  large  amounts  of  fine  gold  and  silver. 

In  France  a  new  and  far  cheaper  process  had  been  discovered  and 
carried  on  clandestinely  for  many  years,  for  refining  both  gold  and 
silver  by  means  of  sulphuric  acid,  in  large  vessels  of  platinum  ;  and 
a  lucrative  return  for  capital  was  found  in  simply  extracting  small 
portions  of  gold  from  silver,  and  silver  from  gold,  which  would  not 
have  yielded  any  profit  under  the  old  and  expensive  system.  In  con- 
sequence of  this  our  sovereigns,  alloyed  partly  with  silver,  were  con- 
veyed to  Paris  and  refined  for  the  sake  of  the  silver  they  contained, 
while  all  silver  supposed  to  hold  gold  in  combination  Avas  bought 
up  in  the  English  market.  To  counteract  in  degree  the  exportation 
of  gold  coin,  a  refinery  on  the  French  system  was  established  in  tlie 
royal  mint  in  1829,  as  an  experiment,  in  the  first  instance,  at  the  sole 
expense  of  Mr.  G.  ¥.  Mathison,  then  melter  and  refiner;  but  subse- 
quently he  was  indemnified  for  his  outlay,  and  the  refinery  was 
adopted  by  the  government  under  certain  conditions.  Mr.  Mathi- 
son was  induced  to  undertake  this  meritorious  work  by  the  urgent 
persuasion  of  Mr.  Herries,  the  then  master  of  the  mint,  who  proper- 
ly conceived  that  no  public  establishment  in  this  country  should,  on 
mere  economical  grounds,  be  so  incomplete  as  to  be  unable  to  meet 
all  requirements  of  a  public  nature,  or  lag  behind  in  the  general  prog- 


36  A  History  of  Coinage. 

ress  of  science  and  art.  By  such  undertakings,  when  liberally  sup- 
ported, enterprise  is  encouraged,  skill  called  forth,  and  science  pro- 
moted. But  the  government,  influenced  by  an  injudicious  economy, 
Avhich  tends  to  destroy  all  public  spirit,  have  judged  differently; 
and  the  refinery,  along  with  tlie  engraving  department  in  the  mint. 
Las  been  abolished  as  a  public  establishment. 

In  the  year  1837,  a  committee  of  the  House  of  Commoxs  was  ap- 
pointed, at  the  instance  of  Mr.  Joseph  Hume,  to  inquire  into  the 
management  and  expenses  of  the  mint,  with  the  view  of  reforming 
the  alleged  abuses  and  cormption  of  that  establishment ;  but  al- 
though very  voluminous  evidence  was  taken,  no  report  was  presented, 
in  consequence  of  the  abrupt  termination  of  the  sessions  of  parlia- 
ment. The  desire  of  reform  was  then  most  urgent ;  the  abuses  of 
the  mint  so  fjreat  as  to  demand  instant  remedy  ;  the  expenses  so  ex- 
travagant as  to  require  immediate  attention  ; — yet  so  fitful  was  this 
zeal  for  reform,  that  ten  long  years  were  allowed  quietly  to  elapse 
before  the  inquiry  was  resumed. 

Hecoinage  of  UgJit  Gold  Coin. 

In  1842  commenced  a  large  recoinage  of  light  gold  coin,  Avhich 
fully  employed  the  machinery  of  the  mint  for  a  considerable  period 
of  time.  This  expensive  undertaking  Avas  forced  upon  the  govern- 
ment in  consequence  of  the  complaints  and  representations  of  the 
public,  a  great  part  of  the  gold  currency  having  by  wear  fallen  be- 
low its  legal  current  weight.  As  the  standard  of  value,  and  medi- 
um of  exchange,  the  defective  character  of  the  gold  coin  influenced 
the  foreign  exchanges  to  the  extent  of  its  depreciation,  and  to  the 
prejudice,  therefore,  of  the  foreign  merchant.  Moreover,  the  law 
making  coin  under  the  current  Aveight  no  lunger  a  legal  tender,  the 
embarrassment  of  the  public  would  have  been  great  if  a  speedy  rem- 
edv  had  not  been  applied  to  meet  the  evil.  The  law  of  the  case, 
therefore,  was  proclaimed  and  put  in  force ;  but  the  government  on 
this  occasion,  instead  of  throwing  the  onus  or  loss  on  the  individual 
holders  of  the  light  and  defective  coin,  undertook  to  receive  it  from 
the  Bank  of  England  within  a  definite  ])enod,  and  recoin  it  at  the 
public  expense,  returning  new  sovereigns  weight  for  weight.  The 
amount  so  withdrawn  from  circulation  exceeded  L.ll, 000,000  ;  and 
the  treasury  not  only  bore  the  ordinary  charges  of  coinage  on  this 
large  amount,  but  the  loss  of  weight,  the  waste  in  melting,  the  depre- 
ciation of  standard,  and  the  cost  of  assays.  Notwithstanding  this 
extensive  purification  of  the  currency,  the  evil  was  found  to  be  only 
mitigated,  not  remedied  ;  and  the  bank  Avas  authorized  for  the  future 
to  receive  all  light  gold  coin  tendered  at  a  fixed  price  per  ounce  (in- 
stead of  sending  it  to  the  mint),  which  being  thus  withdrawn  from 
tirculation,  is  periodically  melted  down  into  bars,  and  treated  sirnjtly 
as  bullion.  Tl)is  process  going  on  from  time  to  time,  if  strictly  ad- 
hered to,  must  eventually  pui-ity  the  currency,  maintain  the  standard 
value  of  our  coin,  and  therefore  efl^iice  the  re])roach  affixed  to  it  here 


A  History  of  Coinage.  37 

and  abroad.  The  renovation  of  the  silver  currency  is  also  proceed- 
ing, though  by  slow  degrees ;  but,  as  its  circulation  is  limited  to  the 
country,  and  the  tender^ tixed  by  law  to  40s,,  the  evil  arising  from 
its  depreciation  is  of  secondary  imj^ortance. 

N'ew  constitution  of  tJie  Uritish  Jlint, 

We  have  now  arrived  at  a  period  in  the  history  of  the  mint  and 
of  the  coinage  of  considerable  importance  to  the  country,  which  com- 
prehends a  fundamental  change  in  the  constitution  of  the  mint,  and 
a  new  organization  of  its  management.  The  thirst  for  change,  which 
distinguishes  this  era,  and  marks  all  public  measures,  is  not  appeas- 
ed by  a  simple  reform  ;  a  revolution,  radical  and  complete,  can  alone 
satisfy  this  restless,  if  not  dangerous,  desire.  It  is  easy  to  destroy 
what  is  ancient,  reared  by  tbe  wisdom  and  sagacity  of  our  forefath- 
ers ;  but  it  needs  wise  men  to  construct  and  build  up  again.  In  the 
zeal  for  change,  conlbrmable  to  what  are  called  progressive  ideas, 
and  the  haste  and  imperfection  incidental  to  modern  legislation,  we 
lose  sight  of  those  precautions  and  prudential  checks  deemed  by  our 
ancestors  necessary  to  such,  an  establisliment  as  a  mint.  What  fate 
was  to  the  ancients,  economy  is  to  the  moderns  ;  it  overrules  all  by 
an  iron  despotism,  and  subjects  every  principle  to  its  sway.  Before 
it  the  appeal  of  reason  is  i;nheard,  the  dictates  of  judgment  disre- 
garded, and  the  teaching  of  experience  despised.  But  it  is  not  a 
wise  economy  that  is  aimed  at,  or  sought  for,  that  implies  security, 
efficiency,  and  just  principles;  but  cheapness,  which  is  so  little  con- 
sistent with  true  economy,  that  eventually  it  proves  to  be  its  great- 
est enemy.  The  so-called  principle  of  economy,  now  predominant  in 
public  measures,  before  which  every  thing  good,  sound,  and  stable  is 
made  to  yield,  will  sometimes  overreach  itself;  and  experience  may 
teach  us  that  if  a  saving  be  made  in  one  direction,  a  loss  tenfold 
greater  will  accrue  in  another.  It  may  be  predicted  safely,  that  with 
regard  to  the  new  management  of  the  mint,  those  principles  will 
hereafter  be  found  peculiarlj^  applicable. 

On  the  15th  February,  1848,  a  commission  was  appointed  by  the 
QuEEX  to  inquire  into  the  constitution  and  management  of  the  mint ; 
and,  after  collecting  farther  evidence  of  an  unimportant  character, 
the  royal  commissioners  presented  their  report  to  parliament  in  the 
session  of  1849. 

A])pended  to  the  report,  they  published  seA'eral  papers  or  disqui- 
sitions on  mints  and  mint  atfairs  of  unequal  merit :  an  admirable  ana- 
lysis of  the  constitution  of  the  mint,  by  Sir  Edward  Pixe  Coffix  ; 
a  treatise  by  Colonel  Forbes,  of  the  Calcutta  mint,  more  commend- 
able for  its  theory  than  its  practical  utility  ;  and  a  very  long,  elab- 
orate, and  anti(piarian  paper  by  the  secretary,  the  principal  object 
and  purpose  of  which  was  to  disprove  the  claim  of  the  company  of 
moneyers  to  the  title  and  distinction  of  a  corporation.  The  report 
itself,  brief,  clear,  and  explicit,  proposes  a  thorough  reform  of  the 
mint  in  all  its  branches ;  recommends  a  revision  of  the  constitution 


386428 


38  A  History  of  Coinage. 

of  the  mint  and  government,  and  at  the  same  time  a  termination  to 
the  system  of  contracts,  or  more  properly  agreements,  under  which 
tlie  operative  departments  of  coining  and  melting  liad  been  carried 
on  safely  and  efficiently  for  centuries.  The  only  substantial  charge 
brought  against  these  departments  was  the  great  profits  which  had 
from  time  to  time  been  derived  from  the  coinage;  but  instead  of  di- 
minishing the  rates  of  charge,  it  was  deemed  expedient  to  place  these 
departments  on  an  entirely  dilFerent  footing. 

The  leading  principles  being  laid  down  in  the  report  of  the  com- 
missioners, it  was  left  to  the  treasury  to  devise  the  best  means  of 
giving  them  eifect ;  and  as  a  preliminary  step  the  deputy-master.  Sir 
James  Morrison,  who  had  served  the  public  above  half  a  centni-y,  was 
superseded  by  Captain  Harness,  of  the  engineers,  on  whose  opinions 
and  recommendations  it  is  supposed  the  reform  of  the  mint  was  final- 
ly accomplished.  The  responsibility,  however,  of  the  changes  de- 
volved on  Sir  John  Herschel,  who  was  subsequently  appointed  to 
fill  the  office  of  first  permanent  master  of  the  mint,  on  the  retirement 
of  Mr.  Shiel,  president  of  the  commission. 

An  order  in  council,  dated  the  7th  March,  1851,  empowered  the 
master  of  the  mint,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  lords  of  the  treas- 
ury, to  alter  the  constitution  and  establishment  of  the  mint. 

One  of  the  first  acts  consequent  on  this  was  the  dissolution  of  the 
board,  as  constructed  by  Lord  Maryborough  in  1815  ;  whicli  seems 
to  have  exercised  its  functions  without  much  influence  or  authority, 
and  in  a  manner  neither  to  inspire  sentiments  of  dignity  nor  respect ; 
and  to  the  weakness  and  irresolution  of  its  govermnent  may  be 
attributed  many  of  those  abuses  and  anomalies  which  had  by  degrees 
gi'own  up  in  the  establishment. 

Under  the  above  order  in  council,  power  was  taken  to  give  legal 
notice,  according  to  their  agreements,  foi"  the  termination  of  the  con- 
tracts of  the  company  of  moneyers  and  the  inciter  and  refiner;  and 
ultimately  these  officers  vacated  their  offices,  having  compensation 
granted  to  them  by  the  treasury  for  the  loss  of  their  privileges  and 
emoluments;  but  it  appears  to  us  not  in  a  maimer  to  meet  the  jus- 
tice of  the  case,  as  regards  the  company  of  moneyers,  who  had  claims 
superior  to  all  others. 

Their  claim  to  be  considered  a  body  corporate,  if  illusory  or  erro- 
neous, did  not  necessarily  invalidate  the  vested  right  which  they 
had  in  their  offices  from  time  immenujrial ;  and  even  assuming  that  an 
order  in  council  had  authority  to  dissolve  the  company  in  the  sunnnary 
way  in  which  it  was  effected  (which  may  be  doubted),  it  appears 
somewhat  unreasonable  to  regulate  the  retiring  allowances  of  such 
functionaries  by  the  law  applicable  to  the  superannuation  of  govern- 
ment clerks,  tfec. 

As  we  have  said,  the  main  charge  made  against  the  moneyers 
and  melter  was  the  largeness  of  their  emoluments;  but  no  attemjtt 
was  made  to  reduce  them,  and  the  fault  therefore,  if  any,  must  rest 
with  the  government.     jS'o  man  or  body  of  men  are  expected  voluu- 


A  History  of  Coinage.  39 

tarily  to  propose  a  reduction  of  emolument.  And,  moreover,  as 
economy  was  supposed  to  be  the  ruling  principle  in  the  reform,  it  is 
a  grave  question  Avhether  the  public  interests  would  not  have  been 
better  served  by  retaining  the  services  of  these  officers  for  life,  who 
had  the  advantage  of  long-tried  experience,  especially  as  by  prema- 
turely placing  them  on  the  pension  list  to  the  annual  amount  of 
L.8000,  they  have  involuntarily  become,  as  all  pensioners  must  be, 
burdens  to  their  country. 

The  office  of  the  Qukex's  assay-master,  one  of  the  most  ancient 
and  most  important  in  the  mint,  Avas  also  abolished,  along  with  that 
of  the  master's  assay-niaster.  The  Queen's  clerk  and  clerk  of  the 
papers  (formerly  a  board  officer),  and  the  weigher  and  teller,  were 
conveited  into  senior  clerks. 

Previously  to  Mr.  Shiel's  retirement  from  office  lie  was  required 
by  the  treasury  to  report  as  to  what  measures  he  Avould  recommend 
to  carry  out  the  reform  ot  the  mint;  and  in  this  document  it  appears 
he  differed  in  opinion  from  the  rest  of  the  commissioners  with  regard 
to  tlie  abolition  of  all  contracts  in  carrying  on  the  practical  ojjera- 
tions  of  coining  ;  and  suggested  that  while  the  melter  should  be  a 
salaried  officer,  the  coining  department  mi<iht  advantageously  be 
farmed  out,  under  certain  conditions,  to  a  respectable  contractor,  who 
would  be  required  to  give  sureties  to  the  amount  of  L.30,000.  One 
of  those  conditions  was  that  the  government  should  supply  the  steam 
power,  and  the  contractor  labor,  materials,  &c.,  taking  upon  himself 
all  risk  and  responsil)ility,  and  ]»aying  over  to  the  government  the 
Avaste  of  metal  accruing  in  the  various  operations;  and  as  an  in- 
demnity for  this  risk,  loss  and  expenses  of  manufacture,  it  was  stip- 
tilated  that  certain  rates  should  be  allowed  on  each  denomination  of 
money  coined. 

It  was  likewise  suggested  in  the  report,  that  a  contract  might 
advantageously  be  made  with  persons  out  of  the  mint  for  the  supply 
of  standard  silver  bars  tit  for  coinage  ;  and  that  the  scissell,  broken 
coin,  and  cuttings,  arising  from  the  manufacture,  should  be  sold  or 
exchanged. 

With  regard  to  the  assay  department,  which  in  every  other  mint 
is  deemed  a  necessary  appendage,  it  is  said,  "It  would  be  a  better 
arrangement  if  several  competent  persons  were  appointed  to  act  as 
assayers  to  the  mint,  on  a  fixed  scale  of  fees,  the  master  of  the  mint 
being  empowered  to  call  upon  any  of  them,  to  make,  within  separate 
laboratories,  such  independent  assays  as  he  may  require,  and  the 
original  reports  of  those  assays  being  preserved  as  public  records." 
These  assayers,  without  any  recognized  official  connection  with  the 
mint  otherwise  than  their  employment  in  that  capacity,  and,  there- 
fore, Avithout  any  responsibility  whatever  beyond  their  characters  as 
chemists,  are  in  this  manner  intrusted  with  those  important  func- 
tions formerly  discharged  by  the  Queen's  assay-master;  and  conse- 
quently the  standard  of  the  coin  of  the  realm  is  in  a  great  measure 
if  not  altogether,  made  to  depend  on  their  fidelity. 

The  report  referred  to  can)>ot  but  be  deemed  somewhat  visionary 


40  A  IHstoi'i/  of  Coinage. 

and  inconsistent  with  all  ideas  of  a  well-managed  and  efficient  estab- 
lishment ;  nevertheless  it  received  the  acquiescence  of  Sir  Johx  Her- 
sciiEL,  and  the  approval  of  the  lords  of  the  treasurj'.  Its  principal 
feature  is  obviously  one  antagonistic  to  the  very  idea  of  perfection, 
and  the  reverse  of  the  practice  prevalent  in  other  well-regulated 
mints, — namely,  the  dependence  of  the  mint  on  operations  per- 
formed external  to  it.  Formerly,  the  principle  advocated  by  Lord 
IMakyborough,  and  acted  upon,  was,  that  the  mint  should  be  capa- 
ble of  carrying  on  all  the  functions  necessary  to  it :  now,  according 
to  tills  report,  it  is  made  to  rely  on  the  skill  and  Ingenuity  of  per- 
sons employed  elsewhere.  Economy,  or  rather  saving  of  money, 
seems  to  have  been  the  actuating  motive  In  these  preliminary 
arrangements;  but  time  alone  can  prove  whether  the  results  of  such 
policy  are  consistent  with  true  economical  principles,  as  Avell  as  with 
practical  efficiency. 

The  project  of  a  conditional  contract  for  the  coinage,  as  might 
have  been  anticipated,  proved  a  foilure ;  not  because  enterprising 
individuals  were  wanting  to  undertake  such  a  business,  but  because 
the  rates  were  fixed  at  a  price  so  Inadequate  to  the  duties  and  re- 
sponsibilities, that  ruin  to  the  contractor  was  a  contingency  f\ir  from 
improbable.  In  the  report  of  Sir  Johx  Herschel,  made  to  the  treas- 
ury, It  Is  said,  "  Before  the  contract  with  the  moneyers  had  ceased, 
a  schedule  for  a  contract  for  three  years  for  the  execution  of  the 
principal  ]iart  of  the  work  performed  by  them,  was  prepared,  and 
advertisements  Issued  to  Invite  competition."  But  though  offin-s 
were  made  by  respectable  llrms,  the  rates  exceeded  those  hxed  by 
the  government,  except  In  one  Instance;  and  the  tenders  were  con- 
sequently rejected,  the  latter  firm  being  unable  to  provide  the  neces- 
sary security. 

The  other  proposed  contract  for  the  sup])ly  of  sliver  bars  was 
abandoned,  ah  initio,  probably  because,  on  mature  reflection,  it  was 
found  impracticable,  If  not  extremely  hazardous. 

Viewing  these  measures  In  a  pi-actlcal  light,  we  have  no  doubt 
whatcA'er  that  the  operations  of  melting  and  coining  should  be  car- 
ried on  by  contract,  as  safer,  more  efficient,  and  economical ;  and 
the  arguments  employed  by  ]Mr.  Siiiel  in  fovor  of  such  a  system  as 
regards  the  cdinlng  are  equally  applicable  to  the  o])eration  of  melt- 
ing. The  chief  thing  to  be  guarded  against  In  the  working  of  a 
mint,  is  not  so  much  the  general  expenses,  such  as  labor,  materials, 
and  sahiries,  as  the  loss  of  the  jtrecious  metals;  for  wliatever  saving 
be  made  by  cutting  down  salaries  and  wages,  even  to  the  point  of 
injustice,  this  will  eventually  be  swallowed  up  by  the  waste  of  gold 
and  silver  in  the  fabrication  of  the  coin.  Salaried  officei's,  unlike 
contractors,  have  no  personal  interest  In  the  conduct  of  llie  l)usiness, 
and  when  inadecjuately  remunerated  at  the  same  time,  It  would  bO 
folly  and  weakness  to  look  for  that  vigilance  and  carefulness  prompted 
by  the  dictates  of  self-Interest ;  and  without  such  cheeks  patiently 
and  constantly  a)>plied,  we  may  reasonably  infer  that  the  waste  of 
the  precious  metals  will  increase  from  year  to  year.   If  in  sucli  mat- 


I 


A  History  of  Coinage.  41 

ters  as  coining  and  other  collateral  operations,  we  act  agreeably  to 
common  sense,  we  should  ajjply  to  them  precisely  the  -same  princi- 
ples as  we  apply  to  manufactories.  The  sense  of  duty  in  public  offi- 
cers is  no  doubt  an  element  in  the  calculation  ;  as  also  a  conscientious 
regard  tor  the  public  purse;  but  as  these  are  not  wholly  or  implicitly 
relied  on  in  private  matters,  neither  should  they  be  in  public.  To 
the  waste  of  gold  and  silver  may  also  be  added  the  increase  of  all 
other  expenses ;  for  it  is  contrary  to  all  experience  to  suppose  that 
government,  by  means  of  subordinate  agents,  can  carry  on  a  busi- 
ness like  that  of  coining  money  with  the  economy  of  contractors, 
whose  ijrofits  depend  on  studious  attention  to  this  principle. 

These  principles,  however  simple  and  obvious,  have  been  disre- 
garded in  the  retbrm  of  the  mint;  and  we  have  reason  to  believe 
that  already  the  consequences  are  apparent,  however  disguised  from 
public  inspection. 

The  system  of  contract  best  adapted  to  a  mint  appears  to  be  that 
which  combines  the  public  officer  and  contractor,  and  which  there- 
fore differs  in  some  respects  from  the  system  pursued  in  the  P^eench 
and  United  States  mints.  In  the  former,  one  man  contracts  for  the 
whole  coinage,  at  a  specitied  rate,  and  not  oidy  pays  those  under 
him,  but  su})plies,  out  of  his  own  capital,  bullion  for  coinage.  In 
the  latter,  the  coiners  and  melters  are  remunerated  by  fixed  salaries, 
and  allowances  are  made  for  the  waste  of  the  precious  metals,  not 
exceeding  a  fixed  rate. 

As  an  improvement  upon  these  plans,  we  propose  that  officers 
engaged  in  the  operative  departments  should  be  paid  moderate  sala- 
ries; that  the  government  should  supply  the  steam-power,  machinery, 
and  every  thing  in  the  nature  o^ plant,  and  keep  the  same  in  repair; 
and  that  a  rate  should  be  allowed,  determined  by  experience  and 
actual  results,  to  the  head  of  each  department,  out  of  which  he 
should  defray  the  cost  of  labor,  materials,  &c.,  and  make  good  all 
Avaste  arising  from  manufacture  and  other  sources.  By  this  simple 
process  the  Crown,  or  master  of  tlie  mint,  would  be  relieved  from 
all  risk  and  responsibility.  Officers  acting  under  authority,  and 
guarded  by  proper  checks  in  the  performance  of  their  duties,  are  as 
likely  to  give  general  satisfaction,  and  may  be  as  mucli  confided  in, 
as  tiiose  employed  on  fixed  salaries,  while  they  would  have  every 
incitement  to  keep  the  waste  and  expenses  within  the  limit  allowed 
by  government. 

This  practical  suggestion  is  founded  on  the  impression  that  waste 
of  gold  and  silver  is  not  only  a  very  important  element  in  the  ex- 
penses of  a  mint,  but  that  it  is  an  indefinite  expense,  varying  accord- 
ing to  circumstances,  yet  coming  on  the  average  Avithin  certain 
limits.  But  the  same  circumstances  which  make  it  vary  so  as  to 
baffie  nice  calculations,  and  render  control  over  it  helpless,  may, 
and  do  actually,  make  it  gradually  increase;  such,  for  example,  as 
ignorance,  carelessness,  and  want  of  vigilance.  For  the  question  is 
not  about  large  amounts,  obvious  and  tangil)le,  arising  from  robbery 
and  such  like  causes,  which  may  be  traced — but  to  minute  portions, 


42  A  History  of  Coinage. 

■Nvhicli,  however  apparentl}'  small  and  insignificant  in  ordinary  inanu- 
focture,  swell  like  arithmetical  progression  to  great  value  on  exten- 
sive coinages.  For  example,  a  loss  of  only  2  grains  troy  per  pound 
of  gold,  or  l-28S0th  of  the  whole  weight,  over  and  above  what  is 
certified  to  be  the  usual  waste,  will,  on  the  value  of  a  million, 
amount  to  about  L.400. 

The  constitution  of  the  mint  being  abolished  on  the  26th  July, 
1851,  orders  were  issued  for  the  new  constitution  and  establislimcnt ; 
amongst  which  it  is  said,  "The  peculiar  distinction  recognized  by 
the  indentures  of  the  mint  between  the  check  and  executive  branches 
of  the  mint  is  abolished.  All  persons  employed  in  the  mint  are 
equally  the  servants  of  the  sovereign,  and  all  will  perform  their 
duties  under  the  immediate  orders  of  the  master  of  the  mint."  And 
it  is  further  added,  that  every  person  so  employed  is  to  consider 
himself  available  for  all  its  duties;  an  oixler  quite  inconsistent  with 
the  regulations  prevailing  in  other  public  offices. 

The  moneyers  having  vacated  their  lucrative  offices,  and  the  ten- 
ders of  indei)endent  contractors  being  rejected,  measures  were  im- 
mediately taken  to  carry  on  the  public  service  in  the  coining  depart- 
ment by  the  appointment  of  officers  on  fixed  salaries.  Ultimately 
the  office  of  clerk  of  the  irons  and  superintendent  of  nuichinery  was 
consolidated  with  that  of  the  chief  coiner,  who  has  under  him  several 
assistants  and  clerks. 

The  melter  and  refiner  having  likewise  retired  on  a  pension,  the 
same  provision  was  made  for  the  service  in  the  melting  department 
by  the  appointment  of  an  officer  called  "  senior  clerk  and  melter," 
with  assistants. 

The  offices  of  Quee^t's  assay-master,  and  master's  assay-master, 
having  been  abolished,  a  new  office  was  created  called  the  "^'esident 
assayer's  office,"  the  principal  duty  of  which  is  the  assay  of  the 
bullion  imported  for  coinage.  At  the  same  time  other  parties  carry- 
ing on  the  art  of  assaying  out  of  the  mint  were  appointed  "  assayers 
to  the  mint,"  pa'id  by  a  fee  on  each  assay,  Avhose  employment  it  is, 
in  connection  with  the  mint,  to  try  the  assays  of  the  gold  and  silver 
bars  melted  for  coinage,  of  the  presumed  standard,  as  well  as  the 
coin  itself  when  fabricated. 

The  die  department  is  an  exception  to  the  rule,  for  it  remains  un- 
reformed — the  only  change  made  in  it  being  the  amalgamation  of 
the  head  witli  the  coinage  department,  the  duties  being  supervised 
by  a  subordinate. 

Circumstances  of  a  peculiar  kind  for  some  time  retarded  the 
change  contemplated  in  the  engraving  department;  but  the  death 
of  the  chief  engraver,  suddenly  and  unexpectedly,  ])recipitated  the 
reform.  Love  of  art  and  modern  economical  ])rinciples  being  at 
variance,  the  office  of  chief  engraver  was  abolished,  and  a  new  one 
created,  called  the  "  resident  engraver,"  whose  duty  is  of  a  very 
circumscribed  character.  At  the  same  time,  the  former  assistant  en- 
graver and   medalist,  being  dismissed   from   their  offices,  were  ap- 


A  History  of  Coinage.  '  43 

pointed  "non-resident  engravers  to  the  mint,"  with  fixed  salaries, 
and  payments  conditional  on  actual  work  executed. 

We  shall  now  proceed  to  give  a  practical  outline  of  the  various 
inofenious  processes  comprehended  in  the  tei'm  coinage  of  money. 
For  as  it  is  said  ten  men  are  required  to  make  a  pin,  so  as  many 
different  operations  are  concerned  in  the  manufacture  of  a  single 
coin ;  such  as,  for  example,  weighing,  assaying,  melting,  rolling, 
annealing,  drawing,  cutting-out,  milling,  blanching,  and  coining  or 
stamping. 

Although  any  person  has  by  law  the  right  or  privilege  to  coin 
gold  at  the  mint,  the  Baxk  of  England  is  now  the  only  importer  of 
gold  bullion  ;  for,  as  by  a  recent  act  the  bank  is  compelled  to  purchase 
all  gold  tendered  to  it  at  the  fixed  price  of  L.3,  17s.  9d.  an  ounce 
standard,  tlie  merchant  or  dealer  has  ceased  to  obtain  any  profit  or 
advantage  by  taking  his  bullion  to  the  mint.  As  before  remarked, 
the  difierence  between  the  mint  and  market  price  of  gold,  and  any 
contingent  profit  obtained  by  the  advanced  value  given  to  the  im- 
porter's bullion  by  the  assay,  are  neutralized  by  the  loss  of  interest 
on  his  capital ;  while  tlie  bank,  on  the  other  hand,  lessens  the  tempta- 
tion to  coin  by  making  an  immediate  advance  on  the  bullion  tendered 
for  sale.  The  bank  may,  therefore,  be  said  to  have  the  entire  mo- 
nopoly of  the  gold  coinage  of  Great  Britain  ;  and,  as  coiners,  they 
liave  virtually  become  the  sole  issuers  of  gold  coin,  being  enabled 
thereby  (as  is  asserted)  to  control  and  regulate  more  efiectually  the 
whole  currency. 

England,  with  regard  to  its  coinage,  differs  from  other  countries 
in  this, — that  while  they  throw  the  burden  of  the  coinage  on  the 
public,  and  charge  a  rate  to  defray  the  expense,  she  (by  an  act 
of  Charles  II.,  subsequently  confirmed  by  one  of  George  III.) 
pays  the  whole  expense  of  the  gold  coinage  out  of  the  public  treasury, 
charging  nothing  for  the  cost  of  manufacture.  Consequently,  gold 
bullion  is  coined  by  the  mint  at  the  rate  of  L.3,  17s.  10  Jd.  an  ounce, 
or  l|d.  an  ounce  above  the  bank  price  ;  and  the  importerhas  returned 
to  him  in  coin  the  exact  equivalent  of  his  bullion,  standard  weight 
for  standard,  having  credit  given  to  him,  at  the  same  time,  for  the 
enhanced  value  of  his  bullion  computed  by  the  mint  assay, — arising 
from  the  difference  paid  to  the  merchant  and  the  increased  fineness 
allowed  by  the  mint. 

With  regard  to  the  silver  and  copper  coinages,  these  are  under- 
taken l)y  the  Crown  as  its  peculiar  prerogatives;  because,  as  a  con- 
siderable seignorage  is  charged  on  both,  it  is  manifest  the  public 
cannot  be  permitted  to  participate  in  this  profit  or  advantage.  Silver 
is  coined  at  the  rate  of  5s.  6d.  an  ounce,  or  66s.  per  pound  troy, 
which  would  be  a  seignorage  of  precisely  10  per  cent,  when  the 
market  price  of  bullion  is  5s.  an  ounce.  Copper  is  coined  at  the 
rate  of  L.224  a  ton  weight— more  than  100  per  cent,  profit  on  the 
average  price  of  copper.  These  coins,  therefore,  must  be  esteemed 
in  the  light  of  tokens  rather  than  money ;  and  by  reason  of  their 
depreciation   they  are   restricted  in   circulation   necessarily  to  the 


44  A  History  of  Coinage. 

country  in  which  they  are  made,  and  are  by  law  a  legal  tender  only 
to  a  limited  amount. 

As  the  Crown,  or  the  govei-nment  as  representative  of  the 
Crown,  can  alone  coiir  silver  and  receive  the  seignorage,  the  bullion 
from  which  it  is  coined  is  purchased  in  the  ordinary  way  in  the 
market,  and  paid  for  out  of  the  public  treasury  ;  and  the  Crown 
becomes  liable  for  the  expense  of  recoining  the  silver  currency  when 
worn  out  by  wear  and  tear.  Hence,  when  the  bank  "garbles"  the 
silver  coin,  as  it  is  technically  called,  and  sends  it  to  the  mint  to  be 
melted  and  re-coined,  the  bank  receives  the  value  by  tale,  that  is 
piece  for  piece,  the  cost  of  wear  falling  wholly  on  the  public.  For- 
merly the  seignorage  on  the  coinage  was  retained  by  the  master  of 
the  mint  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  establishment;  but  by  a 
recent  act  it  is  required  to  be  paid  in  full  to  the  consolidated  fund, 
and  the  whole  expenses  of  the  mint  are  now  voted  annually  by 
parliament. 

Hoiitine  of  business.      Gold. 

TThen  the  Bank  of  England  require  a  coinage  of  gold,  due  notice 
is  conveyed  to  the  mint  authorities,  and  the  bullion  is  brought  in  by 
the  bank  in  parcels  of  100  ingots  or  bars,  weighing  about  200  ounces 
each,  or  in  all  about  L. 70,000  sterling.  These  deliveries  of  bulliou 
are  officially  denominated  importations;  and  their  frequency  depends 
entirely  on  the  public  exigencies.  They  ordinarily  amount  to  four 
each  week;  but  in  1852-5:3,  when  the  bank  treasures  were  drained 
by  an  unprecedented  demand  for  gold  coin  consequent  on  the  dis- 
covery of  auriferous  deposits  in  Australia,  the  amount  received  by 
the  mint  each  week  for  several  consecutive  months  was  900  ignots — 
value  about  L.650,000;  and  about  the  same  amount  was  returned  in 
coined  sovereigns.  This  was  by  tar  the  largest  coinage  ever  under- 
taken by  the  mint  as  respects  gold,  and  exhibits  in  one  remarkable 
instance  the  enormous  resources  and  wealth  of  Great  Britain. 

The  bullion  sent  by  the  bank  is  weighed  at  the  scale  the  same 
day,  in  presence  of  the  bank  clerk ;  and  assay-pieces  being  cut  from 
each  bar  of  gold,  they  are  sent  to  be  tried  by  the  mint  assayer, 
along  with  the  assay  reports  on  which  the  bank  purchased  the  bul- 
lion ;  and  thus  he  is  enabled  to  verify  the  reports,  or  note  any  im- 
portant errors  or  deviations.  In  the  meantime  the  bullion  is  taken 
charge  of,  and  locked  up  under  the  keys  of  the  master,  deputy-mas- 
ter, and  one  of  the  senior  clerks  of  the  mint ;  the  weight  and  num- 
ber of  each  bar  being  first  recorded  in  the  official  books.  So  soon 
as  the  assayer  has  completed  the  assays,  he  sends  his  reports  written 
on  a  sheet  of  paper,  side  by  side  with  the  trade  or  bank  reports,  to 
the  master  of  the  mint,  who,  after  ins[)ection,  refers  them  to  the 
comptroller;  and  upon  these  the  bullion  is  rated  for  coinage.  It 
should,  however,  be  remarked  that  the  mint  assayer,  with  th(!  view 
of  reducing  the  bullion  to  tlie  standard  of  our  currency — namely,  22 
carats  line  and  2  carats  alloy — is  required  to  report  tlie  whole  con- 
tents of  fine  gold,  as  far  as  so  delicate  an  operation  will  allow; 


A  History  of  Coinage.  45 

wnile,  on  the  other  liaiul,  the  ti-ade  assay  talces  no  cognizance  of 
fractional  parts  lower  than  one-eighth  of  a  carat  grain  =  7^  grains 
troy.  Thus,  for  example,  a  bar  of  gold  reported  by  the  trade  assay 
B.  1*2^,  will,  by  the  mint  assayer,  be  called  B.  I-24  +  6  grs.  ;  that 
is  to  say,  he  finds  six  troy  grains  more  per  pound  of  fine  gold  than 
is  indicated  by  the  trade  report;  and  it  follows,  if  the  bar  were  so 
much  worse  than  it  is  better  than  standard,  or  Wo.  1  "21,  the  6  grains, 
if  discovered,  would  diminish  the  loorseness,  as  it  is  called,  to  that 
extent. 

Formerly,  under  the  old  system,  these  fractional  differences  were 
treated  in  a  somewhat  different  manner,  though  the  result  was  ex- 
actly the  same.  The  masters'  assay-master,  whose  province  it  was 
to  examine  the  bullion  at  this  stage,  while  he  gave  the  benefit  to 
the  importer  of  the  enhanced  value  of  his  bullion,  carried  ofiT  these 
fractions,  in  computing  the  standard,  by  combining  the  ingots  or 
bars  together  and  ordering  them  so  to  be  melted ;  for  example,  two 
grains  per  pound  ^>^i<s  would  compensate  for  two  grains  minus. 

The  reports  having  been  properly  recorded  in  the  journals  against 
the  number  and  weiglit  of  the  ingots  to  which  they  belong,  the 
computation  is  made  of  what  is  technically  called  the  hetterness  or 
icorseness  of  each  ingot,  as  indicated  by  the  assay  ;  the  former  being 
placed  in  a  column  on  the  left,  and  the  latter  on  the  right  of  the 
journal,  along  with  the  excess  grains  or  fractions  beyond  the  ordi- 
nary report.  This  arithmetical  process  is  called  rating,  and  is  more 
easily  effected  by  constructing  tables  for  the  purpose,  out  of  which 
the  parts  are  taken  and  added  together.  The  tabUjs  now  in  use  are 
calculated  decimally,  though  the  complex  notation  of  carats  and  carat 
grains  is  still  retained  in  making  the  assay  reports.  If  the  importa- 
tion of  100  ingots  should  consist  of  mixed  gold,  some  of  which  arc 
above,  some  under  the  standard,  the  columns  are  added  separately, 
the  excess  grains  added  to  the  fineness,  and  then  the  worseness  de- 
ducted from  the  betterness,  or  vice  versa,  and  the  difference  either 
added  to  or  deducted  from  the  gross  weight,  which  gives  the  stand- 
ard weight,  to  be  computed  at  the  mint  price  of  L.3,  17s.  lO^d.  an 
ounce. 

A  copy  of  this  being  sent  to  the  bank  and  signed  (called  the 
mint-bill)  shows  the  amount  of  standard  bullion  standing  to  the 
debit  of  the  bank  in  the  mint-books  ;  and  it  will  appear  that  in  the 
total  sum  the  value  of  the  bullion  is  in  excess  of  their  own  account 
by  the  surplus  grains  on  each  pound,  and  by  an  increase  of  weight 
gained  at  the  mint-scale. 

These  preliminary  processes  completed  in  the  manner  described, 
the  ingots  are  then  classed  in  pots  for  melting,  in  a  book  called  the 
pot-book,  which  affords  an  authenticated  record  of  future  proceed- 
ings. The  importation  of  100  ingots  is  generally  divided  into  16 
pots,  containing  six  or  seven  ingots  each;  and  each  pot  is  numbered 
accordingly.  The  pot-book,  tliei'efore,  is  an  exact  transcript  of  the 
journal  broken  up  into  16  parts  or  sections;  and  the  total  of  the 
one  should  agree  with  that  of  the  other.     Each  pot  shows  ilie  nuin- 


46  A  History  of  Coinage. 

ber  and  mark  of  the  ingots,  the  gross  weight  of  each ;  the  better- 
ness  and  worseness  and  excess  grains ;  and  the  quantity  of  alloy 
authorized  to  be  added  to  bring  the  whole  to  standard. 

The  pot-book  having  been  verified  and  signed  by  the  appointed 
officers,  and  the  weight  debited  to  the  melting  department  in  the 
books  of  the  mint-office,  the  gold  bullion  is  then  delivered  over  to  the 
melter  and  arranged  in  trucks  or  boxes  with  square  partitions,  so 
that  each  pot  is  kept  separate,  and  placed  in  order  of  its  number — 
the  marks  and  number  of  the  ingots  at  the  same  time  being  com- 
pared with  the  pot-book. 

The  bullion  thus  consigned  to  the  melting  department,  if  not 
melted  the  same  day,  is  locked  up  under  tlie  keys  of  the  deputy- 
master  or  comptroller,  the  meltei",  and  a  junior  clerk  or  assistant. 

Gold-Melting. 

Previously  to  the  bullion  being  charged  into  the  pots,  the  fur- 
naces are  lighted  by  the  workmen  at  an  early  hour,  and  the  pots 
gradually  annealed,  as  they  are  liable  to  crack  by  too  sudden  an 
application  of  heat.  This  is  done  in  the  following  manner  : — black- 
lead  pots  calculated  to  contain  rather  more  than  100  lbs.  weiglit  of 
gold,  are  placed  in  a  series  of  furnaces  14  inches  square,  and  20 
inches  deep  from  the  grate.  On  the  grate,  formed  of  six  movable 
iron  bars,  supported  by  cross-bars  let  into  the  brick-work,  a  stand 
is  placed  for  tlie  pot,  usually  cut  from  the  bottom  of  an  old  pot,  and 
the  concavity  being  upwards  it  is  filled  with  common  coke-dust,  to 
prevent  the  adhesion  of  the  pot  to  the  stand.  To  give  depth  to  the 
pot  in  the  furnace,  and  allow  of  as  much  fuel  as  the  furnace  will 
hold,  a  muffle  formed  of  baked  clay  is  placed  on  the  pot  in  such  a 
manner  that  the  rim  of  each  will  exactly  fit,  and  the  mouth  of  the 
muffle  is  covered  with  a  flat  cover  made  generally  of  black-lead. 
The  object  of  this  contrivance  is  to  give  an  additional  depth  of  four 
inches  of  fuel  above  the  pot,  by  which  a  more  equal  degree  of  heat 
is  given  to  the  melted  gold  (an  object  of  great  importance),  other- 
wise there  might  not  be  a  uniform  mixture  of  the  alloy  and  tine 
gold,  which  is  easily  effected  at  a  proper  degree  of  temperature. 

The  pot  being  thus  placed  upi-ight  in  the  furnace,  coke  to  the 
depth  of  a  few  inches  is  sprinkled  round  the  pot,  and  a  layer  of 
ignited  charcoal,  previously  prepared  in  another  furnace,  is  thrown 
upon  the  coke,  and  the  furnace  then  filled  up  with  fu(^l.  To  prevent 
too  rapid  combustion  the  door  of  the  furnace  is  left  open,  and  the 
damper  communicating  with  the  flue  is  nearly  shut;  but  when  the 
pot  ie  supposed  to  be  properly  annealed  the  furnace  door  is  then 
closed,  and  the  damper  drawn  out  about  half  its  length.  When  the 
pot  is  heated  to  a  bright  red  the  gold  may  then  be  charged,  which 
is  done  simply  by  removing  the  cover  fi-om  the  top  of  "the  muffle, 
and  with  a  pair  of  tongs  carefully  placing  the  ingots  on  the  bottom 
of  the  pot.  The  gold  being  charged,  the  copper  alloy,  weighed  by 
the  comptroller  or  his  representative,  and  checked  by  the  melter,  is 


A  History  of  Coinage.  47 

added  to  it  before  beins;  melted  ;  some  pulverized  charcoal  is  thrown 
ill  to  neutralize  oxidation  ;  and  the  furnace  havinc^  more  fuel  applied 
is  then  shivt  up,  and  the  damper  drawn  out.  When  the  metal  is 
thoroughly  melted  and  the  temperature  deemed  adequate,  it  is  Avell 
mixed  or  stirred  with  a  rod  of  black-lead,  fixed  iu  tongs,  heated  to 
a  brig-ht-red  before  putting  it  into  the  metal.  The  pot  is  then  with- 
drawn from  the  furnace  by  first  drawing  a  bar  from  the  grate  on 
each  side  of  the  pot,  and  forcing  all  the  fuel  into  the  ash-pit;  a  pair 
of  tongs  is  then  made  to  encircle  the  pot,  to  which  is  attached  a 
lever,  by  which  the  pot  is  lifted  upon  the  top  of  the  furnace.  By 
another  pair  of  tongs,  encircling  the  pot  nearly  round  the  middle,  it 
IS  carried  by  a  man  balancing  the  weight  in  his  hand,  and  the  metal 
cast  into  four  moulds — a  sliug  from  the  roof  running  over  a  pulley 
being  attached  to  the  side  of  the  tongs,  so  as  to  relieve  the  man 
who  pours,  and  add  a  greater  degree  of  steadiness  to  the  o])eratioij. 
The  mau  who  holds  the  sling  in  one  hand,  with  the  other  removes 
the  charcoal  from  the  spout  of  the  pot  by  means  of  a  stick,  so  as  to 
give  a  clear  stream  to  the  metal.  The  pot,  emptied  of  its  contents, 
is  returned  to  the  furnace,  the  bars  that  were  withdrawn  replaced, 
and  the  ignited  fuel  taken  from  the  ash-pit,  thrown  into  the  furnace 
round  the  pot,  which  is  again  charged  with  more  gold.  Such  a  pot, 
if  carefully  treated,  may  be  safely  used  eight  or  ten  times  in  tlie 
course  of  the  day. 

The  weight  of  each  pot  of  gold  is  from  90  lbs.  to  1 05  lbs.  troy, 
and  in  this  manner  it  is  melted  properly  in  one  hour,  making  four 
long  bars  of  about  25  lbs.  each,  measuring  27  inches  in  lengtli,  1;^ 
inch  in  breadth,  and  nearly  one  inch  in  thickness.  Formerly  four 
furnaces  were  found  adequate  to  supply  a  large  coinage  of  gold, 
turning  out  40  pots,  or  4000  lbs.  weight  a-day,  which  was  accom- 
plished in  11  or  12  hours.  More  could  have  been  done,  by  an  addi- 
tion of  furnaces  and  men,  but  the  material  could  not  be  supplied 
beyond  the  power  of  the  assay  office ;  it  being  a  rule  that  all  assays 
concerning  the  coinage  should  be  made  within  the  mint,  and  on  the 
sole  responsibility  of  one  otficer.  But,  under  the  new  system,  that 
restriction  has  been  abolished,  in  degree  at  least ;  and  during  the 
late  great  pressure  for  coin,  assays  were  sent  to  private  parties 
out  of  the  mint,  which  enabled  that  establishment  greatly  to  extend 
the  gold  coinage  beyond  what  was  ever  experienced  ;  and,  conse- 
quentlj^,  additional  furnaces  became  necessary  to  keep  pace  with  it, 
which  augmented  the  amount  of  gold  melted  on  each  day  to  5000  lbs., 
or  nearly  one  quarter  of  a  million  sterling.  During  several  months 
the  amount  of  coined  money  delivered  to  the  bank  was  L. 630, 000, 
or  13,500  lbs.  weight;  and  assuming  that  the  bars  melted  produced 
50  per  cent,  of  coin,  it  would  be  necessary,  to  meet  this  extraor- 
dinary demand,  to  melt  at  least  27,000  lbs.  a-week,  or  4500  lbs. 
a-day ;  but  we  believe  it  exceeded  this  considerably,  as  a  change  in 
the  remedy  of  the  coin  greatly  increased  the  number  of  spoiled 
pieces,  while,  on  the  other  hand,  the  questionable  alteration  of  the 
assay  department  caused  an  immense  increase  of  damaged  work  in 


48  A  History  of  Coinage, 

the   molting    department,    from    errors   and    irregularities    in    the 
assays. 

From  each  gold  pot  melted  in  the  way  described,  two  samples 
are  cut  for  the  assay,  one  from  the  first  and  another  from  the  fourth 
bar  cast.  These  are  taken  in  the  presence  of  an  authorized  officer, 
weighed  carefully,  and  put  up  in  slips  of  paper  marked  with  the 
number  of  the  ])ot,  and  then  delivered  to  the  master  of  the  mint. 
The  bars  of  gold  being  trimmed  and  cleaned  are  marked  with  con- 
secutive numbers  and  a  distinguishing  letter,  so  that  if  any  error 
should  appear  the  pot  can  be  identified  and  its  composition  traced. 
They  are  then  weighed,  two  at  a  time,  and  the  weight  is  registered 
in  tlie  day-book;  and  at  the  end  of  the  day  the  assays  and  clippings 
are  added  to  the  account,  so  as  to  shoAv  the  ap))arent  waste  that  has 
taken  place.  The  bullion  after  this  is  locked  up  in  the  melting- 
house  stronghold,  under  three  keys,  and  remains  there  till  such  time 
as  the  assay  trials  have  been  made,  and  an  order  for  delivery  trans- 
mitted by  the  master  of  the  mint.  This  being  done,  the  bars  are 
carried  to  the  office  of  receipt,  and  weighed  in  presence  of  an  officer 
or  clerk,  who  gives  a  receipt  to  the  melter  on  the  i)art  of  the  coin- 
ing department.  On  the  other  hand,  when  tlie  melter  receives  what 
is  commonly  called  scissell,  spoiled  blanks,  and  other  pieces  of  metal 
which  cannot  be  made  into  money,  from  the  coining  department,  he 
likewise  gives  in  tlie  same  book  a  receipt  for  the  amount,  distin- 
guishing what  is  scissell,  ends,  blanks,  and  brokages.  This  specifi- 
cation of  these  returns  was  at  one  time  a  record  of  great  importance, 
and  constituted  a  check  on  the  proceedings  of  the  moneyers,  who 
were  required  by  the  mint  indenture  to  coin  of  good  inoney  seven 
twelfths  out  of  the  bars  delivered  to  them,  minus  the  ends  cut  off", 
and  hollow,  brittle,  or  badly-melted  bars.  Consequently  the  amount 
of  scissell  returned  to  melt  should  not  exceed  five  twelfths,  and  any 
amount  beyond  that  was  obviously  to  the  prejudice  of  the  melter. 
But  now  that  the  contract  system  no  longer  exists  to  cavil  with 
carelessness  and  indifl:erence,  and  no  one's  interest  is  aftected  by 
damaged  work,  the  amount  of  scissell,  by  scrupulous  nicety  m  the 
uniformity  of  the  coin,  has  greatly  increased,  and  consequently 
the  expense  of  coinage,  which  is  now  defrayed  out  of  the  public 
treasury. 

Silver. 

When  silver  bullion  is  imported  into  the  mint  for  coinage,  it 
passes  through  the  same  preliminary  stages  as  gold  ;  but  as  the 
Crown  actually  purchases  the  silver,  it  also  claims  the  right  of  the 
importer  of  bullion  to  any  benelit  derived  from  the  enhanced  value 
given  by  the  mint  assay;  and  this,  along  with  the  seignorage,  is 
carried  to  the  public  account.  The  average  weight  of  silver  ingots 
is  about  1000  oz.  ti'oy  ;  and  they  are  marked,  numbered,  assayed, 
rated,  and  potted  for  melting,  nearly  in  the  same  way  as  described 
of  gold  bullion.  The  weight  of  a  silver  pot  is  as  near  420  lbs.  as 
can  practically  be  attained ;  and,  generally,  five  such  ingots  consti- 


A  History  of  Coinage.  40 

tute  a  pot,  with  the  proper  proportion  of  alloy.  Silver  ing^ots  are 
reported  in  ounces  and  pennyweights,  with  excess  grains  over  the 
half  pennyweight,  and  the  standard  computed  to  that  of  11  oz. 
2  dwts.  fine  silver,  and  18  dwts.  alloy.  And,  when  it  is  found  the 
silver  ingots  so  imported  are  mixed  of  fine  and  coarse,  in  whatever 
proportions,  it  is  tlie  practice  to  combine  some  of  each  together  in 
tlie  same  pot,  adding  the  necessary  alloy,  so  as  to  facilitate  the 
fusion  of  the  metal,  and  diftuse  the  alloy  more  uniformly. 

The  silver  hitherto  has  been  melted  in  cast-iron  pots  of  a  strong 
fabric,  weighing  about  li  cwt.  eacli ;  but  these  have  recently  been 
superseded  by  wrought-iron  pots  of  about  the  same  sha))e  and 
dimensions,  which  possess  some  advantages  over  the  others.  The 
cast-iron  pots  referred  to,  and  lifting  and  pouring  machinery  were 
introduced  into  the  mint  in  1811,  and  were  deemed  a  prodigious 
improvement  on  the  old,  clumsy,  and  wasteful  process  of  melting 
silver  in  small  pots,  Avhile  at  the  same  time  they  enabled  the  mint 
with  ease  to  cast  10,000  lbs.  weight  of  silver  daily  into  bars.  At 
the  same  time  iron  moulds  were  brought  into  use,  instead  of  those 
formerly  used,  which  were  made  of  sand. 

The  cast-iron  pots,  for  many  years  after  they  were  ado])ted,  were 
found  perfectly  successful,  and  by  means  of  them  a  great  amount  of 
bullion  was  melted  safely,  expeditiously,  and  economicall)^  the  waste 
of  silver  being  much  less  than  the  usual  allowance  for  loss  by  melt- 
ing; but  afterwards  various  circumstances,  not  originally  foreseen, 
conspired  to  detract  from  the  merit  if  not  from  the  utility  of  this 
alteration.  In  the  first  place,  the  quality  of  iron  seems  everywhere 
to  have  deteriorated,  consequent,  as  some  would  infer,  on  the  intro- 
duction of  the  liot-blast  in  reducing  the  ore ;  but  more  probably 
from  the  haste  and  rapidity  with  which  it  is  manufactured.  Whether 
from  the  original  quality  of  the  iron,  the  ignorance  or  carelessness 
of  the  founder,  or  both  combined,  it  is  certain  that  in  subsequent 
years  the  cast-iron  pots  lost  by  degrees  all  the  great  advantages 
ascribed  to  them.  In  tlie  second  i)lace,  concurrent  with  the  f;dling 
ofl^in  the  castings  themselves,  the  silver  ingot,  originally  of  60  lbs. 
Aveight,  in  process  of  time  augmented  to  80  lbs.  and  above;  and 
this,  coupled  with  an  excess  of  fine  silver  in  tlie  market,  caused  by 
a  cheap  process  of  refinage,  rendered  the  fusion  far  more  difficult 
and  hazardous  in  cast-iron  pots,  because  the  degree  of  temperature 
necessary  to  melt  fine  silver  bars  of  1000  ozs.  each,  is  considerably 
higher  than  can  safely  be  used  with  such  a  material ;  and  in  such 
cases  the  pot  was  found  disabled  before  it  had  done  a  fourth  part 
of  the  work  required  of  it.  Moreover,  the  iron  melting  and  running 
from  the  bottom  of  the  pot  left  large  interior  fissures  partly  filled 
with  silver,  difficult  to  extract,  while,  at  the  same  time,  the  porous 
character  of  the  iron  caused  a  great  absorption  of  the  precious 
metal,  which  was  recovered  only  in  a  small  degree.  The  great  care 
and  attention,  too,  during  the  operation  of  melting  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, caused  an  excessive  consumption  of  fuel,  and  a  great 
loss  of  time. 

4 


50  A  History  of  Coinage. 

In  consequence  of  tlicse  defects  and  disadvantages,  the  subject 
was  taken  into  consideration  by  Sir  Johx  IIerschel,  master  of  the 
mint;  and,  ultimately,  forged  iron  pots,  (manufactured  by  Messrs. 
HoRTON  of  the  works  at  Smithwick  near  Birmingliam),  were  tried 
first  experimentally,  and  then  adopted  ;  having,  by  the  severest  trial, 
proved  eminently  successful.  The  prime  cost  of  such  pots  is  of 
course  four  or  five  times  greater  than  those  of  cast-iron  ;  but  it  is 
conceived  that  is  amply  repaid  in  the  end  by  a  considerable  saving 
of  fuel,  by  greater  safety,  by  economy  of  time  and  labor,  and  less 
waste  of  silver  by  accidents  and  absorption — to  which  may  be 
added  the  greater  amount  of  work  of  which  they  are  capable.  If  we 
suppose  the  melting-power  of  a  cast-iron  pot  to  be  10  x  400r=4000  lbs. 
weight,  which  on  tlie  average  is  not  much  underrated;  by  actual 
experiment,  it  has  been  found  that  the  melting-power  of  a  forged 
or  wrought-iron  pot  is,  oi.  a  large  average,  40  x  400  =  16,000  lbs.,  or 
four  times  as  great,  which  if  maintained  with  regularity,  would 
nearly  compensate  for  the  superior  prime  cost.  It  may,  therefore, 
be  assumed,  that  the  latter  pots  will  eventually  supersede  the  for- 
mer. The  reason  why  they  were  not  sooner  introduced,  or  rather, 
wh}'^  in  former  times  they  were  tried  and  abandoned,  is  solely  to  be 
attributed  to  modern  improvements,  to  skill,  and  perhaps  science, 
applied  to  the  manufacture  of  such  articles. 

In  the  silver  melting-house  there  are  eight  melting  furnaces, 
two  cranes,  and  two  pouring  machines.  Each  crane  stands  in  the 
centre  of  four  furnaces,  freely  commanding  the  centre  of  each,  and 
conveys  the  pots  to  the  pouring-machine.  The  eight  furnaces  may 
be  worked  three  or  four  times  daily,  with  an  adequate  supply  of 
moulds  and  workmen  ;  but  generally  four  are  found  ample  to  keep 
pace  with  an  ordinary  coinage.  If  the  eight  furnaces  were  put  in 
Avork,  and  the  pots  charged  only  tliree  times  a-day,  then  about 
10,000  lbs.  weight  of  silver  could  easily  be  melted  in  eight  or  nine 
hours,  and  with  greater  economy  of  labor  and  fuel,  and  far  less 
waste  of  silver,  than  by  any  other  process.  AVhen  the  operation  is 
performed  skilfully,  and  the  metal  not  retained  too  long  in  the  fire, 
it  has  been  found  that  the  oxidation  of  the  alloy  is  less  than  it  would 
be  if  melted  in  a  black-lead  pot,  or  in  a  larger  pot  of  iron,  and  the 
silver  dipped  out,  as  in  the  Paris  mint,  where  copper  is  added  from 
time  to  time  to  the  fused  metal  in  such  proportions  as  shall  com- 
pensate for  the  destruction  of  the  alloy. 

When  the  melting  dei)artment  Avas  carried  on  under  a  contract, 
with  fixed  rates  of  payment,  the  melter  bore  all  the  waste  arising 
from  the  various  operations,  ami  at  the  end  of  each  year  made  up 
his  account  with  the  master  of  the  mint,  and  made  good  all  defi- 
ciency from  that  source.  Ilis  situation  was,  therefore,  one  of  con- 
siderable risk  and  responsibility;  and  as  his  profit  or  income 
depended  on  the  proceeds  of  his  ofiice,  deducting  the  various  ex- 
penses, as  well  as  losses,  it  was  obviously  his  interest  to  conduct 
the  business  in  the  most  economical  manner.  But  the  contract 
system  having  terminated,  at  the  instance  of  modern  ideas  of  im- 


A  History  of  Co  mage.  61 

provement,  the  whole  charges  and  expenses  of  this  department  are 
now  borne  by  the  government,  and  at  the  end  of  eacli  qnarter  the 
account  is  made  up  and  the  loss  of  precious  metal  written  off. 

The  assays  of  the  gold  and  silver  bars,  referred  to  before,  npon 
which  the  standard  coin  is  manufactured,  were  formerly  made  or 
tried  in  the  mint  by  the  Queex's  assay-master,  who  became  respon- 
sible for  the  quality  of  the  whole  coinage  ;  but  under  the  new 
system  the  assays  are  sent  by  the  master  of  the  mint  to  persons  out 
of  the  mint  lor  examination,  who  are  nominally  attached  to  the 
establishment,  but  without  any  responsibility  whatever.  For  this 
work  they  are  paid  a  fee  of  2s.  6d.  for  each  assay  ;  and  when  the 
coinage  is  considerable,  very  large  emoluments  are  paid  to  these 
assayers,  which  has  increased  the  expense  of  this  branch  beyond 
what  it  formerly  was. 

The  master  of  the  mint,  on  receiving  the  reports  of  the  assays, 
orders  the  bullion  which  is  represented  by  them  to  be  delivered 
over  for  coinage,  condemning  such  pots  or  bars  as  he  finds  may 
deviate  from  the  standard  beyond  a  ceitain  amount;  and  these  are 
either  remelted  with  some  addition  of  alloy  or  fine  gold,  or  simply 
combined  and  mixed  together.  From  some  cause  not  ascertained, 
the  amount  of  work  so  condemned  exceeds  that  under  the  old 
system,  and  thereby  enhances  the  cost  of  the  coinage. 

Operation  of  Rolling. 

The  first  process  to  which  the  bars  of  gold  and  silver  are  sub- 
jected is  that  of  flatting,  rolling,  or  laminating,  in  the  rolling-mill. 
Both  descriptions  are  rolled  cold ;  but  as  the  operation  hardens  the 
metal,  making  it  liable  to  crack  at  the  edges,  at  a  certain  stage  the 
bars  are  cut  into  shorter  pieces,  and  are  annealed  in  a  reverberatory 
furnace,  quenched  suddenly  in  water,  and  cleaned  with  dilute  acid. 
They  are  then  passed  repeatedly  through  the  rollers,  and  gradually 
reduced  to  the  thickness  of  the  coin  required. 

Process  of  Pyxing. 

By  the  process  of  pyxing,  as  it  is  technically  called,  the  weight 
and  fineness  of  the  coined  money  is  determined  before  it  is  delivered 
to  the  importer  or  to  the  public.  It  consists  in  taking  from  every 
journey- weight  of  gold  and  silver  a  pound  in  tale  promiscuously,  which 
is  weighed  in  an  accurate  balance,  the  plus  or  minus  over  or  under 
the  standard  weight  being  declared  by  the  weigher,  and  recorded  by 
the  clerk.  This  determines  within  certain  limits  Avhether  the  money 
has  been  made  within  the  remedy  allowed  by  law.  From  the  same 
pound  weight  of  silver  or  gold,  two  pieces  are  taken,  the  one  for  the 
master  of  the  mint,  to  be  assayed,  in  order  to  test  the  fineness  of  the 
whole  coin ;  the  other  for  subsequent  examination  at  the  general 
trial  of  the  pyx  ;  and  the  coins  so  taken,  one  from  each  journey  or 
bag,  are  sealed  up  in  a  packet,  and  put  into  a  chest,  called  tlio  pyx- 


52  A  History  of  Coinage. 

box,  locked  up  under  the  separate  keys  of  the  master  and  comptroller, 
there  to  reniahi  until  the  general  trial  of  the  pyx  referred  to.  When 
the  assay-trial  of  the  piece  lias  been  examined  and  proved  to  be  of 
\he  legal  standard,  which,  in  this  case,  is  taken  as  the  average  of 
'Jie  whole  journey-weight,  the  master  of  the  mint  authorizes  the 
jioney  to  be  delivered  to  the  importers  of  the  bullion,  who  give  a 
.M-oper  receipt  for  the  same. 

The  general  trial  of  the  pyx  in  London^  takes  place  at  irregular 
^3riods  before  a  jury  selected  by  the  lord  chancellor,  and  compre- 
hends an  examination  by  weight  and  assay  of  all  the  money  coined 
')nring  a  given  time;  and  the  verdict  delivered  by  the  foreman  of 
t/ie  jury  to  the  chancellor  relieves  the  master  of  the  mint  from  further 
responsibility  as  regards  the  past.  While  the  company  of  moneyers 
were  intrusted  with  the  coinage  of  the  money,  the  trial  of  the  pyx 
was  uniformly  favorable  to  their  skill  and  accuracy,  as  well  as  to  the 
skill  and  vigilance  of  that  important  and  responsible  check  officer, 
the  QuEEN^s  assay-master  ;  but  as  no  trial  has  yet  (1854)  tak<m  place 
under  the  new  system,  we  are  unable  to  draw  any  conclusion  from 
it,  either  in  point  of  skill  or  accuracy. 

The  cornpany  of  moneyers,  like  the  melter,  carried  on  their  busi 
ness  by  a  contract  or  agreement  with  the  master  of  the  mint  for  the 
time  being,  by  which  they  were  bound  to  make  good  all  waste  ut 
loss  accruing  in  their  department,  as  well  as  to  supply  labor  and 
materials.  Now  salaried  officers  conduct  the  various  operations  con- 
nected with  coinage,  the  government  taking  upon  itself  the  general 
expenses,  the  risk,  and  responsibility  ;  and  all  waste  in  manufacture 
or  loss  from  other  causes  is  borne  by  the  public,  and  defrayed  out  of 
the  treasury.  Foi'merly,  the  moneyers  and  melter  gave  heavy  bonds 
of  security  to  the  master  of  the  mint,  as  a  guarantee  against  loss. 
Now  no  security  whatever  is  exacted  from  any  officer  acting  under 
the  master,  except  from  the  person  employed  in  superintending  the 
melting  department. 

Under  these  circumstances,  it  is  a  question  which  time  alone  can 
solve,  whether  the  government  can  manage  an  establishment  like  a 
mint  (which,  after  all,  is  only  a  manufactory),  as  safely  and  economic- 
ally as  if  carried  on  by  contracts  or  agreements  at  moderate  rates 
of  payment. 

Method  of  making  the  Dies. 

An  original  die  is  engraven  upon  a  piece  of  soft  cast-steel  of  the 
size  of  the  money  to  be  coined.  The  device  or  design  is,  of  coiirse, 
cut  into  the  steel,  and  its  depth  is  proportionate  to  the  relief  ulti- 
mately wanted  upon  the  coin.  When  the  engraving  is  finished,  the 
die,  or  matrix,  as  it  is  called,  is  hardened  ;  a  process  requiring  con- 
siderable care  and  attention.  It  frequently  happens,  that  in  this* 
process,  either  from  the  steel  being  faulty  or  heated  to  excess,  the 
die  flies  in  pieces,  and  the  whole  labor  of  the  artist  is  lost.  When, 
however,  the  matrix  proves  to  be  perfect,  it  is  placed  in  the  multi- 


A  History  of  Coinage.  53 

plying  die  press,  which  works  in  every  respect  like  a  coining;  press, 
but  is  moved  by  men.  An  impi'ession  is  taken  from  the  matrix  upon 
a  blank  die  of  cast  steel,  similar  to  the  mode  of  impressing  the  money. 
The  blank  die  is  fixed  as  the  lower  die  of  the  coining  press,  and  by 
working  the  screw  of  the  press,  which  has  very  long  and  heavily 
loaded  arms,  the  matrix  is  made  to  strike  the  blank  die  with  great 
force,  and  bring  its  impression  in  relief  \\^?t\\  the  surfiice.  The  hard- 
ness, by  compression  of  the  steel,  is  so  great,  that  a  perfect  impres- 
sion of  the  engraving  cannot  be  obtained  witliout  annealing  the  die, 
perhaps  twice  or  thrice  in  an  iron  pot  with  animal  charcoal,  allowing 
it  to  cool  gradually.  An  impression  taken  in  tliis  way  is  called  a 
puncheon  die.  When  the  engraver  has  given  all  the  delicate  outlines 
of  the  original  to  it,  it  is  hardened  in  the  same  manner  as  its  original, 
and  used  to  give  the  impression  to  blank  dies  by  a  similar  process ; 
but  in  this  case  the  impression  is  sunk,  instead  of  being  in  relief. 
These  are  the  dies  employed  to  stamp  the  money. 

The  puncheon  by  which  the  die  is  stamped  is  therefore  hard,  and 
the  blank  die  soft  steel.  The  process  of  hardening  is  effected  by  im- 
mersing the  puncheon  in  cold  water  after  being  heated  ;  that  of  soft- 
ening, by  placing  the  dies  in  a  pot  covered  with  animal  charcoal  in 
a  furnace,  and  then  allowing  tliem  to  cool  slowly  and  gradually  in 
the  pot.  The  blank  dies  are  formed  of  cylindrical  pieces  of  steel 
nicely  tui'ned  and  polished,  having  one  end  square  and  the  other  of 
a  conical  shape.  By  the  first  blow  given  by  the  press  the  cone  has 
disappeared,  and  the  impression  becomes  visible  on  the  surface. 
Several  blows  of  the  press  are  required  to  perfect  a  die  ;  and  between 
each  the  die  is  softened  in  the  manner  before  described.  After 
the  first  blow,  the  die  is  taken  to  a  turning-lathe  to  shave  off  the  rim 
of  metal  round  the  impression,  so  as  to  allow  the  second  blow  to 
deepen  the  impression  without  spreading  the  steel. 

The  amount  of  work  done  by  the  dies  varies  exceedingly ;  de- 
pending, first,  on  the  quality  of  the  steel,  and,  secondly,  on  the  char- 
acter of  the  metal  to  be  stamped,  which  differs  in  hardness  or  soft- 
cess  accoiding  to  the  nature  of  the  alloy  contained  in  it. 

By  the  ofticer  presiding  over  the  die  department,  an  accurate 
register  is  kept  of  all  dies  manufactured,  and  he  accounts  also 
to  the  master  of  the  mint  for  all  matrixes,  puncheons,  and  dies  des- 
troyed, as  well  as  made,  in  the  mint ;  so  that  none  be  surreptitiously 
used  or  carried  away.  A  very  large  collection  of  the  various  dies 
used  in  the  coinage  of  money,  from  an  early  period,  is  kept  in  the 
mint,  affording  to  the  connoisseur  an  interesting  record  of  the  pro- 
gress of  engraving  in  England. 

As  a  record  of  the  coinage  of  the  mint  we  append  the  following 
table,  derived  from  authentic  sources,  which  will  be  found  useful : 

By  a  return  made  by  the  company  of  moneyers  to  a  committee 
of  the  House  of  Commons  in  the  year  1837,  it  appears  that  the 
amount  of  gold  coined  from  1558  to  1830,  was  L.154,762,335,  Is.  lOd., 
and  of  silver,  L.39,139,581,  Os.  8d. 


STE-QPSIS 


OF  THE 


ACTS    OF    CONGRESS 

REGULATING  THE  MINT. 


FROM    BEIGHTLY'S    "DIGEST    OP   THE    LAWS    OF   THE    UNITED    STATES." 
Published  by  Kat  &  Brother,  Philadelphia. 


THE  MINT  OF  THE   UNITED  STATES. 

I.  Officers  op  the  Mixt. — 1,  mint  established ;  2,  located  at  Philadelphia ;  3,  ap- 
pointment of  officers ;  4,  duties  of  the  director ;  5,  duties  of  the  treasurer ;  6, 
duties  of  the  assayer;  7,  duties  of  the  melter  and  refiner;  8,  duties  of  the  chief 
coiner;  9,  duties  of  the  engraver;  10,  appointment  of  assistants  and  clerks, 
their  duties;  11,  temporary  appointments,  workmen  and  servants;  12,  oath 
of  officers,  etc.;  13,  bonds  of  officers;  14,  salaries;  15,  pay  of  clerks  may  be 
increased;  16,  director's  annual  report. 

n.  Assay  and  Coinage  of  Bullion. — 17,  bullion,  not  intended  for  coinage,  to  be 
assayed  ;  18,  bullion  to  be  received  for  coinage ;  19,  to  be  weighed  and  receipted 
for;  20,  to  be  assayed;  21,  assayer  to  report;  22,  charges  for  coinage;  23,  cer- 
tificate to  be  issued  to  depositor;  24,  bullion  to  be  formed  into  ingots;  25,  ingots 
to  be  assayed;  26,  deviation  from  standard  in  ingots ;  27,  treasurer's  account 
with  melter  and  refiner,  allowance  for  waste;  28,  ingots  to  be  delivered  to 
coiner;  29,  deviation  from  standard  weight  in  coining;  30,  coin  to  be  delivered 
to  treasurer,  his  duties;  31,  coins  to  be  set  apart  for  anuual  trial;  32,  record 
of  clippings,  etc. ;  33,  treasurer's  account  with  cliief  coiner,  allowance  for  waste ; 
34,  payment  to  depositors;  35,  bullion  fund,  how  applied ;  36,  annual  trial  of 
coinage,  commissioners,  their  duties;  37,  deviation  allowed  from  standard 
weight  of  gold  coin ;  38,  public  moneys  to  be  transferred  to  tlie  mint  for  pay- 
ment of  depositors,  no  interest  to  be  charged,  bonds  of  treasurers,  etc.,  may  be 
renewed  or  increased ;  30,  silver  bullion  to  be  purchased  for  coinage,  treasurer's 
account;  40,  how  silver  coin  to  be  paid  out;  41,  no  deposits  of  silver  bullion  to 
be  received  for  coinage;  42,  bullion  may  be  cast  into  ingots,  charge  therefor; 
43,  charge  for  casting  into  ingots;  44.  amount  of  bullion  received  for  refining 
to  bo  gradually  decreased;  45,  profits  to  be  paid  into  the  treasury. 


The  Mint  of  the  United  States.  55 

III.  Standard  "Weights. — 46,  standard  troy  pound  ;  47,  series  of  standard  weights 
to  be  produced,  to  be  annually  tested. 

lY.  Branches  op  the  Mint. — 48,  branch  mints  established;  49,  officers  to  be  ap- 
pointed, clerks  and  workmen,  salaries;  50,  oath  of  office,  bonds;  51,  powers  of 
tlie  directors  of  the  mint;  52,  laws  regulating  the  mint,  etc.,  to  apply  to  the 
branches;  53,  officers  at  New  Orleans,  salaries;  54,  repealing  sectiou ;  55,  du- 
ties of  melter  and  refiner  transferred  to  coiner  at  Dahlouega  and  Charlotte;  56, 
before  whom  oath  of  office  may  bo  taken;  57,  treasurers  to  appoint  their  own 
clerks,  subject  to  approval  of  secretary  ;  58,  branch  in  California ;  59,  appoint- 
ment of  officers,  salaries;  60,  oath,  bonds;  61,  powers  of  the  director  of  the 
mint;  62,  laws  regulating  the  mint,  etc.,  to  apply  to  this  branch;  63,  to  be  the 
depository  of  the  public  moneys,  duties  and  liabilities  of  treasurer;  64,  gold  to 
be  refined  and  cast  into  ingots,  charges  ;  65,  pay  of  clerks  at  Xew  Orleans  may 
be  increased. 

V.  Assay  Office. — 66,  assay  office  in  New  York,  officers'  compensation;  67,  bullion 

may  be  received  and  refined,  certificate  therefor  to  be  issued,  to  be  cast  into  in- 
gots, when  to  be  transferred  to  the  mint  for  coiuage,  secretary  to  prescribe 
regulations;  68,  powers  of  director  of  the  mint;  69,  laws  regulatiug  the  mint, 
etc.,  to  apply  to  this  office ;  70,  charges  for  refiniug,  etc. ;  71,  buildings  to  be 
procured,  and  machinery. 

VI.  Chapter  II.  Assay  and  Coinage  of  Buxlion. — 1,  act  limiting  amount  of 
bullion  to  be  received  for  refining  extended  to  assay  office;  2,  contracts  to 
exchange  crude  bullion  for  refined  bars  suspended. 

VII.  Branches  of  the  Mint. — 3,  branch  mint  at  Denver ;  4,  officers,  salaries ;  5, 
to  give  bond ;  6,  powers  of  directors  of  the  mint;  7,  to  be  a  depository  for  pub- 
lic moneys;  8,  certificates  of  deposit  may  be  issued;  9,  general  laws  extended 
to  this  branch;  10,  branch  mint  at  Carson  City;  11,  otticers,  salaries;  -12,  oath 
of  office,  bonds;  13,  powers  of  director  of  the  mint;  14,  to  be  a  public  deposi- 
tory; 15,  drafts  to  be  issued  for  gold-dust ;  16,  laws  regulating  the  mint  extended 
to  this  branch;  17,  branch  mint  at  Dalles  City,  Oregon  ;  18,  officers,  salaries  ;  19, 
oath  of  office,  bonds;  20,  powers  of  director  of  the  mint;  21,  to  be  a  public  de- 
pository; 22,  drafts  to  be  issued  for  gold-dust  and  bullion;  23,  laws  regulatiug 
the  mint  extended  to  this  branch. 

"VIII.  Assay  Office. — 24,  assay  office  at  Boise  City,  in  Idaho,  officers'  salaries;  25, 
oath  of  office,  bond;  26,  to  be  subject  to  the  control  of  the  director  of  the  mint; 
27,  to  be  a  publie  depository ;  28,  certificates  of  deposit  to  be  issued  for  bullion; 
29,  certain  laws  extended  to  this  office. 

I.     OFFICER-S    OF   THE    MINT 

1.  Tliat  a  mint  for  the  purpose  of  a  national  coinage  be  and  the 
same  is  established  ;  to  be  situate  and  carried  on  at  the  seat  of  the 
government  of  the  United  States,  for  the  time  beino-. — 2d  Anril 
1792.  §  1.  =  /      , 

2.  That  the  act,  entitled  "An  act  concerning  the  mint,"  approved 
March  the  3d,  1801,*  be  and   the  same  is  hereby  revived  and   con- 

*  This  act  directed  that  the  mint  should  remain  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  until 
4  March,  1803. 


56  The  Mint  of  the  United  States. 

tinned  in  force  and  operation,  until  otherwise  provided  by  law. — 
\^th  May,  1828.   §  1. 

Appoi?itment  of  Officers. 

3.  The  officers  of  the  mint  of  the  United  States  shall  be  a  direc- 
tor, a  treasurer,  an  assayer,  a  melter  and  refiner,  a  chief  coiner,  and 
an  engraver,  to  be  appointed  by  the  president  of  the  United  States, 
bv  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate. — I8th  January, 

1837.  §  1. 

4.  The  respective  duties  of  the  officers  of  the  mint  shall  be  as 
follows : 

Duties  of  the  Director. 

First.  The  director  shall  have  the  control  and  management  of  the 
mint,  the  superintendence  of  the  officers  and  persons  employed 
therein,  and  the  general  regulation  and  supervision  of  the  business 
of  the  several  branches.  And  in  the  month  of  January  of  every 
year  he  shall  make  report  to  the  president  of  the  United  States  of 
the  operations  of  the  mint  and  its  branches  for  the  year  preceding; 
and  also  to  the  secretary  of  the  treasiiry,  from  time  to  time,  as  said 
secretary  shall  require,  setting  forth  all  the  operations  of  the  mint 
subsequent  to  the  last  report  made  upon  the  subject. 

Duties  of  the  Treasurer. 

5.  Second.  The  treasurer  shall  receive  and  safely  keep  all  mon- 
eys which  shall  be  for  the  use  and  support  of  the  mint;  shall  keep 
all  the  current  accounts  of  the  mint,  and  pay  all  moneys  due  by  the 
mint,  on  warrants  from  the  director ;  he  shall  receive  all  bullion 
brouglit  to  the  mint  for  coinage  ;  shall  be  the  keeper  of  all  bullion 
and  coin  in  the  mint,  except  while  the  same  is  legally  placed  in  the 
hands  of  other  officers  ;  and  shall,  on  warrants  from  the  director, 
deliver  all  coins  struck  at  tlie  mint  to  the  persons  to  whom  they 
shall  be  legally  payable.  And  he  shall  keep  regular  and  faithful 
accounts  of  all  the  transactions  of  the  mint,  in  bullion  and  coins, 
both  with  the  officers  of  the  mint  and  the  depositors  ;  and  shall  pre- 
sent, quarter-yearly,  to  the  treasury  department  of  the  United  States, 
according  to  such  forms  as  shall  be  ])rescribed  by  that  depaitment, 
an  account  of  the  receipts  and  disbursements  of  the  mint,  for  the 
purpose  of  being  adjusted  and  settled. 

Duties  of  the  Assayer,  and  the  Melter  and  Refiner. 

6.  Third.  The  assayer  shall  carefully  assay  all  metals  used  in 
coinage,  whenever  such  assays  are  required  in  the  operations  of  the 
mint ;  and  he  shall  also  make  assays  of  coins  whenever  instructed 
to  do  so  by  the  director. — 18  Jan.  1837. 

7.  Fourth.  The  melter  and  refiner  shall  execute  all  the  operations 
which  are  necessarv  in  order  to  form  inijots  of  standard  silver  or 


The  Mint  of  the  United  States.  57 

gold,  suitable  for  the  chief  coinei",  from  the  metals  legally  delivered 
to  him  for  that  purpose. — See  Act  3  March,  1795. 

Duties  of  Chief  Coiner  and  Engraver. 

8.  Fifth,  The  chief  coiner  shall  execute  all  tlie  operations  which 
are  necessary  in  order  to  form  coins,  comformable  in  all  respects  to 
the  law,  from  the  standard  silver  and  gold  ingots,  [and  the  copper 
planchets,]  legally  delivered  to  him  for  this  purpose. — Ibid. 

9.  Sixth.  The  engraver  shall  prepare  and  engrave,  with  the  legal 
devices  and  inscriptions,  all  the  dies  used  in  the  coinage  of  the  mint 
and  its  branches. 

Appointment  of  Assistants  and  Clerks. 

10.  The  director  shall  appoint,  with  the  approbation  of  the  presi- 
dent, assistants  to  the  assayer,  melter  and  retiner,  chief  coiner,  and 
engraver,  and  clerks  for  the  director  and  treasurer,  whenever,  on 
representation  made  by  the  director  to  the  president,  it  shall  be  the 
opinion  of  the  president  that  such  assistants  or  clerks  are  necessary. 
And  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  assistants  to  aid  their  principals  in 
the  execution  of  their  respective  offices,  and  of  the  clerks  to  perform 
Buch  duties  as  shall  be  prescribed  for  them  by  the  director. — 1837. 

11.  Whenever  any  officer  of  the  mint  shall  be  temporarily  absent, 
on  account  of  sickness,  or  any  other  sufficient  cause,  it  sluvll  be  law- 
ful for  the  director,  with  the  assent  of  said  officer,  to  appoint  some 
person  attached  to  the  mint,  to  act  in  the  place  of  such  officer  during 
his  absence ;  and  the  director  shall  employ  such  workmen  and  serv- 
ants in  the  mint  as  he  shall  from  time  [to  time]  find  necessary. — 
1837. 

Oath  of  Officers. 

12.  Every  officer,  assistant  and  clerk  of  the  mint,  shall,  before  he 
enters  upon  the  execution  of  his  office,  take  an  oath  or  affirmation 
before  some  judge  of  the  United  States,  or  judge  of  the  superior 
court  or  any  court  of  record  of  any  state,  faithfully  and  diligently 
to  perform  the  duties  thereof — 1837. 

Bonds  of  Officers. 

13.  The  following  officers  of  the  mint,  before  entering  upon  the 
execution  of  their  respective  offices,*  shall  become  bound  to  the 
United  States,  with  one  or  more  sureties,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
secrf^tary  of  the  treasury,  in  tlie  sums  hereinafter  mentioned,  with 
condition  for  the  faithful  and  diligent  performance  of  the  duties  of 
their  offices,  viz.  :  the  treasurer  in  the  sum  of  ten  thousand  dollars ; 
the  assayer  in  the  sum  of  five  thousand  dollars;  the  melter  and 
refiner  in  the  sum  of  ten  thousand  dollars ;  the  chief  coiner  in  the 

*  They  cannot  legally  execute  their  offices,  unless  they  have  given  bonds  for 
the  faithful  performance  of  their  duties.     5  Opin.  687. 


58  The  Mint  of  the  United  States. 

sum  of  ten  thousand  dollars.  And  similar  bonds  may  also  l>e  re- 
quired of  the  assistants  and  clerks,  in  such  sums  as  the  director  shall 
determine,  with  the  approbation  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury.-  — 
See  Sect.  38. 

Salaries. 

14.  There  shall  be  allowed  to  the  offic  ers  of  the  mint  the  follow- 
ing salaries  per  annum:  to  the  director  for  his  services,  including 
travelling  expenses  incurred  in  visiting  the  ditferent  branches,  and 
all  other  charges  whatever,  three  thousand  five  hundred  dollars;  to 
the  treasurer,  assayer,  melter  and  refiner,  chief  coiner,  and  engraver, 
each  two  thousand  dollars;  to  the  assistants  and  clerks  such  annual 
salaries  shall  be  allowed  as  the  director  may  determine,  with  the 
approbation  of  the  president :  Provided^  That  an  assistant  shall  not 
receive  more  than  fifteen  hundred  dollars;  and  that  a  clerk  shall  not 
receive  more  than  twelve  hundred  dollars.  (See  Sect.  15).  To  the 
workmen  and  servants  shall  be  allowed  such  wages,  to  be  deter- 
mined by  the  director,  as  may  be  customary  and  reasonable  accord- 
ing to  their  respective  stations  and  o-'cupations ;  and  the  salaries 
provided  for  in  this  section  shall  be  payable  in  quarterly  instal- 
ments.— 18  Jan.  1837. 


Pay  of  Clerks  may  he  Increased. 


15.  That  the  seventh  section  of  the  act  of  January  18th,  1837, 
entitled  "An  act  supplementary  to  the  act  entitled  'An  act  estab- 
lishing a  mint  and  regulating  tlie  coins  of  the  United  States,'"  be 
so  amended  as  to  extend  the  limit  for  the  annual  salary  of  clerks  in 
the  mint  of  the  United  States  to  eighteen  hundred  dollars  each, 
from  and  after  the  first  of  July,  1851,  at  the  discretion  of  the  ofiicers 
authorized  by  law  to  appoint,  with  the  approbation  of  the  president 
of  the  United  States,  including  also  one  clerk  in  the  office  of  the 
assistant  treasurer  at  Philadelphia  ;  and  the  salary  of  the  chief  clerk 
of  the  branch  mint  at  New  Orleans,  shall  be  twenty-two  hundred 
dollars  from  and  after  the  first  of  July,  1854. — 4  August,  1854. 

Director'' s  Annual  Report. 

16.  The  director  of  the  mint  shall  make  his  annual  report  to  the 
secretary  of  the  treasury,  up  to  the  thirtietli  of  June  in  each  year, 
so  that  the  same  may  appear  in  his  annual  report  to  congress  ou  the 
finances.— 21  Feb.  1857. 

II.    ASSAY   AND   COINAGE    OF   BULLION. 

17.  It  shall  be  lawful  for  the  director  of  the  mint  to  receive,  and 
cause  to  be  assayed,  bullion  not  intended  for  coinage,  and  to  cause- 
certificates  to  be  given  of  the  fineness  thereof  by  •a\\v\\  officer  as  he 
shall  designate  for  that  purpose,  at  such  rates  of  charge  to  be  paid 


The  Mint  of  tJie  United  States.  69 

by  the  owner  of  said  bullion,  and  under  such  regulations  as  the  said 
director  may  from  time  to  time  establish. — 19  May^  1828.  {See 
No.  44.) 

bullion  to  he  Received  for  Coinage. 

1"=<.  Gold  and  silver  bullion  brought  to  the  mint  for  coinage, 
shall  be  received  and  coined  by  the  proper  officers,  for  the  benefit  of 
the  depositor  (see  41) :  Provided.,  That  it  shall  be  lawful  to  refuse 
at  the  mint,  any  deposit  of  less  value  than  one  hundred  dollars, 
and  any  bullion  so  base  as  to  be  unsuitable  for  the  operations  of  the 
mint:  And  provided  also  .^  That  when  gold  and  silver  are  combined, 
if  either  of  these  metals  be  in  such  small  proportion  that  it  cannot 
be  separated  advantageously,  no  allowance  shall  be  made  to  the 
depositor  for  the  value  of  such  metal. — 18  Jan.  1837 

To  he  Weighed  and  Receipted  for. 

19.  "When  bullion  is  brought  to  the  mint  for  coinage,  it  shall  be 
weighed  by  the  treasurer  in  the  presence  of  the  depositor,  wlieu 
practicable,  andsa  receipt  given,  which  shall  state  the  description 
and  weight  of  the  bullion  :  Provided,  That  when  bullion  is  in  such 
a  state  as  to  require  melting  before  its  value  can  be  ascertained,  the 
weight  after  melting  shall  be  considered  as  the  true  weight  of  the 
bullion  deposited. — Ibid. 

To  he  Assayed. 

20.  From  every  parcel  of  bullion  deposited  for  coinage,  the  treas- 
urer shall  deliver  to  the  assayer  a  sufficient  portion  for  the  purpose 
of  being  assayed;  but  all  such'  bullion  remaining  from  the  opera- 
tions of  the  assay  shall  be  returned  to  the  treasurer  by  the  assayer. 
—Ibid. 

Assayer  to  Report. 

21.  The  assayer  shall  report  to  the  treasurer  the  quality  or  stand- 
ard of  the  bullion  assayed  by  him  ;  and  he  shall  also  communicate 
to  the  treasurer  such  information  as  will  enable  him  to  estimate  the 
amount  of  the  charges  hereinafter  provided  for,  to  be  made  to  the 
depositor,  for  the  expenses  of  converting  the  bullion  into  standard 
metal  fit  for  coinage. — Ibid. 

Charges  for  Coinage. 

22.  The  only  subjects  of  charge  by  the  mint  to  the  depositor 
shall  be  the  following  {see  Nos.  42,  43)  :  for  refining  when  the  bul- 
lion is  below  standard  ;  for  toughening  when  metals  are  contained 
in  it  which  render  it  unfit  for  coinage;  for  copper  used  for  alloy 
when  the  bullion  is  above  standard ;  for  silver  introduced  into  the 


60  The  Mint  of  the  United  States. 

alloy  of  gold  ;  and  for  separating  the  gold  and  silver  -when  these 
metals  exist  together  in  the  bullion.  And  the  rate  of  these  charges 
shall  be  fixed  from  time  to  time  by  the  director,  with  the  concur- 
rence of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  so  as  not  to  exceed,  in  their 
judgment,  the  actual  expense  to  the  mint  of  the  materials  and  hibor 
employed  in  each  of  tlie  cases  aforementioned ;  and  the  amount 
received  from  these  charges  shall  be  accounted  for  and  appropriated 
for  defraying  the  contingent  expenses  of  the  mint. — Ibid. 

Certificate  to  be  Issued  to  Depositor. 

23.  From  the  report  of  the  assayer,  and  the  weight  of  the  bullion, 
the  treasurer  shall  estimate  the  whole  value  of  each  deposit,  and 
also  the  amount  of  the  charges  or  deductions  if  any  ;  of  all  which  he 
shall  give  a  detailed  memorandum  to  the  depositor;  and  he  shall 
also  give,  at  the  same  time,  under  his  hand,  a  certificate  of  the  net 
amount  of  the  deposit,  to  be  paid  in  coins  of  the  same  species  of 
bullion  as  that  deposited. — Ibid. 

Sidlion  to  be  Formed  i)ito  Ingots. 

24.  Parcels  of  bullion  shall  be  from  time  to  time  transferred  by 
the  treasurer  to  the  melter  and  refiner ;  a  careful  record  of  these 
transfers,  noting  the  weight  and  character  of  the  bullion,  shall  be 
kept;  and  the  bullion  thus  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  melter  and 
refiner  shall  be  subjected  to  the  several  processes  which  may  be 
necessary  to  form  it  into  ingots  of  the  legal  standard,  and  of  a  qual- 
ity suitable  for  coinage. — Ibid. 

Ingots  to  be  Assayed. 

25.  The  ingots  thus  prepared  shall  be  assayed  by  the  assayer, 
and  if  they  prove  to  be  within  the  limits  allowed  for  deviation  from 
the  standard,  they  shall  be  transferred  by  the  melter  and  refiner  to 
the  treasurer,  accompanied  by  the  assayer's  certificate  of  their  fine- 
ness ;  and  a  careful  record  of  the  transfer  shall  be  kept  by  the  treas- 
urer.— Ibid. 

Deviation  fronn  Standard. 

26.  No  ingots  of  gold  shall  be  used  for  coinage  of  which  the 
quality  differs  more  than  two-thousandths  from  the  legal  standard  ; 
and  no  ingots  of  silver  shall  be  used  for  coinage  of  Avhich  the  qual- 
ity differs  more  than  tliree-thousandths  from  the  legal  standard. — 
Ibid. 

Treasure/ s  Account  with  Melter  and  Refiner. — Allowance  for  Waste. 

27.  In  the  treasurer's  account  with  the  melter  and  refiner,  the 
melter  and  refiner  shall  be  debited  with  the  standard  wciixht  of  all 


The  Mint  of  the  United  States.  61 

the  bullion  placed  in  his  hands,  that  is  to  say,  with  the  weight  of 
metal  of  legal  standard  fineness  which  it  will  make;  and  he  shall  be 
credited  by  the  standard  weight  of  all  the  ingots  delivered  by  him 
to  the  treiisurer.  And  once  at  least  in  every  year,  at  such  time  as 
the  director  shall  appoint,  the  melter  and  refiner  shall  deliver  up  to 
the  treasurer  all  the  bullion  in  his  possession,  in  order  that  his  ac- 
counts may  be  settled  up  to  that  time  ;  and,  in  this  settlement,  he 
shall  be  entitled  to  a  credit  for  the  difierence  between  the  whole 
amount  of  bullion  delivered  to  him,  and  received  from  him,  since  the 
last  settlement,  as  an  allowance  for  necessary  waste:  Provided, 
That  this  allowance  shall  not  exceed  two-thousandths  of  the  whole 
amount  of  gold  and  silver  bullion,  respectively,  that  had  been  deliv- 
ered to  him  by  the  treasurer. — Ibid. 

Ingots  to  be  delivered  to  Coiner. 

28.  The  treasurer  shall,  from  time  to  time,  deliver  over  to  the 
chief  coiner,  ingots  for  the  purpose  of  coinage  ;  he  shall  keep  a 
careful  record  of  these  transfers,  noting  the  weight  and  description 
of  the  ingots;  and  the  ingots  thus  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  chief 
coiner  shall  be  passed  through  the  several  processes  necessary  to 
make  from  them  coins  in  all  respects  conformable  to  law. — Ibid. 

Deviations  from  Standard  Weight  in  Coining. 

29.  In  adjusting  the  weights  of  the  coins,  the  following  devia- 
tions from  the  standard  weight  shall  not  be  exceeded  in  any  of  the 
single  pieces — in  the  dollar  and  halfdollar,  one  grain  and  a  half; 
in  the  quarter  dollar,  one  grain  ;  in  the  dime  and  half-dime,  half  a 
grain  ;  in  the  gold  coins,  one  quarter  of  a  grain  ;  [in  the  copper 
coins,  one  grain  in  the  pennyweight.]  And  in  weighing  a  large 
number  of  pieces  together,  when  delivered  from  the  chief  coiner  to 
the  treasui-er,  and  from  the  treasurer  to  the  depositors,  the  devia- 
tions from  the  standard  weight  shall  not  exceed  the  following  limits 
— four  pennyweights  in  one  thousand  dollars  ;  three  pennyweights 
in  one  thousand  half-dollars  ;  two  pennyweights  in  one  thousand 
quarter-dollars;  one  pennyweight  in  one  thousand  dimes;  one 
pennyweight  in  one  thousand  half-dimes  ;  two  pennyweights  in  one 
thousand  eagles  ;  one  and  a  half  pennyweights  in  one  thousand  half- 
eagles  ;  one  pennyweight  in  one  thousand  quarter-eagles. — Ibid. 

Coin  to  be  delivered  to  Treasurer. — His  duties. 

30.  The  chief  coiner  shall,  from  time  to  time,  as  the  coins  are 
prepared,  deliver  them  over  to  the  treasurer,  who  shall  keep  a 
careful  recoi'd  of  their  kind,  number  and  weight  ;  and,  in  receiving 
the  coins,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasurer  to  see  whether  the 
coins  of  that  deliver}''  are  within  the  legal  limits  of  the  standard 
weight ;  and  if  his  trials  for  this  purpose  shall  not  prove  satisfac- 
tory, he  shall  cause  all  the  coins  of  this  delivery  to  be  weighed 


62  The  311)11  of  the  United  States. 

separately,  and  such  as  are  not  of  legal  weight  shall  be  delivered 
to  the  melter  and  refiner,  as  standard  bullion,  to  be  again  formed 
into  ingots  and  recoined. — Ibid. 

Coins  to  he  set  apart  for  Annual  Trial. 

31.  At  every  delivery  of  coins  made  by  the  chief  coiner  to  the 
treasurer,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasurer,  in  the  presence  of  the 
assayer,  to  take  indiscriminately,  a  certain  number  of  pieces  of  each 
variety  for  the  annual  trial  of  coins,  (the  number  being  prescribed 
by  the  director)  which  shall  be  carefully  labelled,  and  deposited  in 
a  chest  appropriated  for  the  purpose,  kept  under  the  joint  cai-e  of 
the  treasurer  and  assayer,  and  so  secured  that  neither  can  have 
access  to  its  contents  without  the  presence  of  the  other. — Ibid. 

Hecord  of  Clippings^  etc. 

32.  The  chief  coiner  shall,  from  time  to  time,  deliver  to  the 
treasurer  the  clippings  and  other  portions  of  bullion  remaining  after 
the  process  of  coining;  and  the  treasurer  shall  keep  a  careful  record 
of  their  amount. — Ibid. 

Treasurer'' s  account  with  Chief  Coiner. — Allowance  for  Waste. 

33.  In  the  ti'easurer's  account  with  the  chief  coiner,  the  chief 
coiner  shall  be  debited  with  the  amount  in  weight  of  standard  metal 
of  all  the  bullion  placed  in  his  hands,  and  credited  with  the  amount, 
also  by  weight,  of  all  the  coins,  clippings  and  other  bullion  deliver- 
ed by  him  to  the  treasurer.  And  once  at  least  in  every  year,  at  such 
time  as  the  director  shall  appoint,  the  chief  coiner  shall  deliver  to 
the  treasurer  all  the  coins  and  bullion  in  his  possession,  so  that  his 
accounts  may  be  settled  up  to  that  time  ;  and,  in  this  settlement,  he 
shall  be  entitled  to  a  credit  for  the  difference  between  the  whole 
amount  of  the  ingots  delivered  to  him,  and  of  the  coins  and  bullion 
received  from  him,  since  the  last  settlement,  as  an  allowance  for 
necessary  waste  :  Provided,  That  tliis  allowance  shall  not  exceed 
two-thousandths  of  the  whole  amount  of  the  silver,  or  one  and  one- 
half  thousandths  of  the  whole  amount  of  the  gold,  that  had  been 
delivered  to  him  by  the  treasurer. — Ibid. 

Payment  to  Depositors. 

34.  When  the  coins  which  are  the  equivalent  to  any  deposit  of 
bullion  are  ready  for  delivery,  they  shall  be  paid  over  to  the  deposi- 
tor, or  his  order,  by  the  treasurer,  on  a  warrant  from  the  dirwctor; 
and  the  payment  shall  bo  made,  if  demanded,  in  the  order  in  which 
the  bullion  shall  have  been  brought  to  the  mint,  giving  priority 
according  to  priority  of  deposit  only.  And  in  the  dtMiominations  of 
coin  delivered,  the  treasurer  shall  comply  with  the  wishes  of  the 


The  Mint  uf  the  United  States.  63 

depositor,  unless  when  impracticable  or  inconvenient  to  do  so;  in 
which  case  the  denominations  ot"  coin  shall  be  designated  by  the 
director.* — Ibid. 

JBidlion  Fund. — Hoio  Apjylied. 

35,  For  the  purpose  of  enabling  the  mint  t®  make  returns  to 
depositors  with  as  little  delay  as  possible  {see  No.  38),  it  siiall  be 
the  duty  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  to  keep  in  the  said  mint, 
when  the  state  of  tlie  treasury  will  admit  thereof,  a  deposit  of  such 
amount  of  public  money,  or  of  bullion  procured  for  the  purpose, 
as  he  shall  judge  convenient  and  necessary,  not  exceeding  one 
million  of  dollars;  out  of  which  those  who  bring  bullion  to  the 
mint  may  be  paid  the  value  thereof,  as  soon  as  practicable,  after  this 
valne  has  been  ascertained.  The  bullion  so  deposited  shall  become 
the  property  of  the  United  States ;  no  discount  or  interest  shall  be 
char<;ed  on  moneN^s  so  advanced  ;  and  the  secretary  of  the  treasury 
may  at  any  time  Avithdraw  the  saitl  deposit,  or  any  part  thereof,  or 
may,  at  his  discretion,  allow  the  coins  formed  at  the  mint  to  be 
given  for  their  equivalent  in  other  money. — Ibid. 

Annual  trial  of  Coinage. —  Commissioners. —  Their  Duties. 

36.  To  secure  a  due  conformity  in  the  gold  and  silver  coins  to 
their  respective  standards  and  weights,  an  annual  trial  shall  be 
made  of  the  pieces  reserved  for  this  purpose  at  the  mint  and  its 
branches,  before  the  judge  of  the  district  court  of  the  United  States 
for  the  eastern  district  of  Pennsylvania,  the  attorney  of  the  United 
States  for  the  eastern  district  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  collector  of 
the  port  of  Philadeli)hia,  and  such  other  persons  as  the  pi'esident 
shall,  from  time  to  time,  <lesignate  for  that  purpose;  who  sliall  meet 
as  commissioners,  for  the  perfoi'mance  of  this  duty,  on  the  second 
Monday  in  February,  annually,  and  may  continue  their  meetings  by 
adjounmient,  if  necessary;  and  if  a  majority  of  the  commissioners 
shall  fail  to  attend  at  any  time  appoint«ed  for  their  meeting,  then  the 
director  of  the  mint  shall  call  a  meeting  of  the  connnissioners  at  such 
other  time  as  he  may  deem  convenient.  And  before  these  commis- 
sioners, or  a  majority  of  them,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  officers  of  the 
mint,  such  examination  shall  be  made  of  the  reserved  pieces  as  shall 
be  judged  sufficient ;  and  if  it  shall  appear  that  these  pieces  do  not 
differ  from  the  standard  fineness  and  weight  by  a  greater  quantity 
than  is  allowed  by  law,  the  trial  shall  be  considered  and  reported  as 
satisfactory  ;  but  if  any  greater  deviation  from  the  legal  standard  or 
weight  shall  appear,  this  fact  shall  be  certified  to  the  president  of  fhe 
United  States  ;  and  if,  on  a  view  of  the  circumstances  of  the  case, 
he  shall  so  decide,  the  officer  or  officers  implicated  in  the  error  shall 

*  The  act  2  April  1792,  §  15,  which  is  hereby  supplied,  provided  further  that 
"  if  any  preference  shall  be  given  contrary  to  the  directions  aforesaid,  tlie  officer  by 
whom  any  undue  preference  shall  be  given  shall,  in  each  case,  forfeit  and  pay  $10oO, 
10  be  recovered  with  costs  of  suit."     1  Stat.  249-50. 


64  71ie  3[htt  of  the  United  States. 

be  thenceforward  disqualified  from  holding  their  respective  oifices.  •* 
Ibid. 

Deviation  allowed  from,  Standard  Weight  of  Gold  Coin. 

37.  In  adjusting  the  weights  of  gold  coins  henceforward,  the  fol- 
lowing deviations  from  the  standard  weight  shall  not  be  exceeded 
in  any  of  the  single  pieces — namely,  in  the  double-eagle,  the  eagle, 
and  the  lialf-eagle,  one-half  of  a  grain,  and  in  the  quarter-eagle  and 
gold  dollar,  one-quarter  of  a  grain.  And  in  weigliing  a  large  num- 
ber of  pieces  together,  Aviien  delivered  from  the  chief  coiner  to  the 
treasurer,  and  from  the  treasurer  to  the  depositors,  the  deviation 
from  the  standard  weight  shall  not  exceed  three  pennyweiglits  m 
one  thousand  double-eagles;  two  peimy weiglits  in  one  tliousand 
eagles  ;  one  and  one-half  pennyweights  in  one  thousand  half-eagles  ; 
one  pemiyweight  in  one  thousand  quarter-eagles;  and  one-half  of  a 
pennyweight  in  one  thousand  gold  dollars, — 2  March,  1849. 

Public  Moneys  to  be  transferred  to  the  Mint  for  payment  of  Deposit' 
ors. — No  Interest  to  be  Charged. — Bonds  of  Treasurers,  etc., 
may  be  renewed  or  increased. 

38.  For  the  purpose  of  enabling  the  mint  and  branch  mints  of 
the  United  States  to  make  returns  to  depositors  with  as  little  delay 
as  possible,  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  president  of  the  United  States, 
when  the  state  of  the  treasury  shall  admit  thereof,  to  direct  trans- 
fers to  be  made  from  time  to  time  to  the  mint  and  branch  mints  for 
such  sums  of  public  money  as  he  shall  judge  convenient  and  neces- 
sary ;  out  of  which  those  who  bring  bullion  to  the  mint  may  be 
paid  the  value  thereof,  as  soon  as  practicable  after  this  value  has 
been  ascertained.  The  bullion  so  deposited  shall  become  the 
property  of  the  United  States ;  no  discount  or  interest  shall  be 
charged  on  money  so  advanced ;  and  the  secretary  of  the  treasury 
may  at  any  time  withdraw  the  said  deposit,  or  any  part  tliereof, 
or  may,  at  his  discretion,  allow  the  coins  formed  at  the  mint  to  be 
given  for  their  equivalent  in  other  money  :  Provided,  That  the  bonds 
given  by  the  United  States'  treasurers  and  superintendents  of  the 
mint  shall  be  renewed  or  increased  at  the  discretion  of  the  secretary 
of  the  treasury,  under  the  operation  of  this  act. — 23  May,  1850. 

Silver  Bullion  to  be  purchased  for  Coinage. — Treasurer'' s  Account. 

39.  In  order  to  procure  bullion  for  the  requisite  coinage  of  the 
subdivisions  of  the  dollar  authorized  by  this  act,  the  treasurer  of 
the  mint  shall,  with  the  approval  of  the  director,  purchase  such 
bullion  with  the  bullion  fund  of  the  mint.  lie  sliall  charge  himself 
witii  the  gain  arising  from  tlie  coinage  of  such  bullion  into  coins  of 
a  nominal  value  exceeding  t.he  intrinsic  value  thereof,  and  shall  be 
credited  with  the  dilfereiice  between  such  intrinsic  value  and  the 
price  paid  for  said  bullion,  and  with  the  expense  of  distributing  said 


The  Mint  uftnt  Cnited  States.  65 

coins  as  hereinafter  provided.  The  balances  to  his  credit,  or  the 
profits  of  said  coinage,  shall  be,  from  time  to  time,  on  a  warrant  of 
the  director  of  the  mint,  transferred  to  the  account  of  the  treasury 
of  the  United  States. — 21  February,  1853. 

How  Silver  Coin  to  he  paid  out. 

40.  Such  coins  shall  be  paid  out  at  the  mint,  in  exchange  for 
Sfold  coins  at  ])ar,  in  sums  not  less  than  one  hundred  dollars;  and 
it  shall  be  lawful,  also,  to  transmit  parcels  of  the  sanie_  from  time  to 
time,  to  the  assistant  treasurers,  depositaries  and  other  officei's  of 
the  United  States,  under  general  regulations,  proposed  by  the  direc- 
tor of  the  mint,  and  approved  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  :  Pro- 
vided., however,  That  the  amount  coined  into  quarter-dollars,  dimes 
and  half-dimes,  shall  be  regulated  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury. — 
Ibid. 

JVb  dejyosits  of  Silver  Bullion  to  he  received. 

41.  No  deposits  for  coinage  into  the  half-dollar,  quarter-dollar, 
dime  and  half  dime,  shall  hereafter  be  received,  other  than  those 
made  bj^  the  treasurer  of  the  mint,  as  herein  authorized,  and  upon 
account  of  the  United  States. — Ibid. 

Bullion  may  he  cast  into  Ingots. —  Charge  therefor. 

42.  At  the  option  of  the  depositor,  gold  or  silver  may  be  cast 
into  bars  or  ingots  of  either  pure  metal  or  of  standard  fineness,  as 
the  owner  may  prefer,  with  a  stamp  upon  the  same  designating  its 
weight  and  fineness ;  but  no  piece,  of  either  gold  or  silver,  shall  be 
cast  into  bars  or  ingots  of  a  less  weight  than  ten  ounces,  except 
pieces  of  one  ounce,  of  two  ounces,  of  three  ounces  and  of  five  ounces, 
all  of  which  pieces  of  less  weight  than  ten  ounces  shnll  be  of  the  stand- 
ard fineness,  with  their  weight  and  fineness  stamped  upon  them. 
But,  in  cases,  whether  the  gold  and  silver  deposited  be  coined  or 
cast  into  bars  or  ingots,  there  shall  be  a  charge  to  the  depositor,  in 
addition  to  the  charge  now  made  for  refining  or  parting  the  metals, 
of  one-half  of  one  per  centum  {see  43)  ;  the  money  arising  from  this 
charge  of  one-half  per  centum  shall  be  charged  to  the  treasurer  of 
the  mint,  and  from  time  to  time,  on  warrant  of  the  director  of  the 
mint,  shall  be  tnmsferred  into  the  treasury  of  the  United  St;ites: 
Provided,  however.  That  nothing  contained  iu  this  section  shall  be 
considered  as  a])plying  to  the  half-dollar,  the  quarter-dollar,  the  dime 
and  halfdime. — Ibid. 

Charge  for  casting  Ingots,  etc. 

43.  When  gold  or  silver  shall  be  cast  into  ba>-s  or  ingots,  or  formed' 
into  disks  at  the  mint  of  the  United  States,  or  any  of  the  branches 
thereof,  or  at  any  assay  office  (if  the  United  States,  the  charge  for  re- 
fining, casting  or  forming  said  bars,  ingots  or  disks  shall  be  equal  to, 

5 


66  The  Mint  of  the  United  States. 

but  not  exceed,  the  actual  cost  of  the  operation,  including  labor, 
wastage,  use  of  machinery,  materials,  etc.,  to  be  regulated  from  time 
to  time  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury. — 3  3Iarch^  1853 

Arnotmt  of  Bullion  received  for  Refining  to  be  gradually  decreased. 

44.  When  private  establishments  shall  be  made  to  refine  gold 
bullion,  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  if  he  shall  deem  them  capable 
of  executing  such  work,  ig  hereby  authorized  and  required  to  limit 
the  amount  thereof,  which  shall  be  refined  in  the  mint  at  Philadel- 
phia, from  qu.irter  to  quarter,  and  to  reduce  the  same  progressively 
a**  such  establishments  shall  be  extended  or  multiplied  ;  so  as  event- 
ually, and  as  soon  as  maybe,  to  exclude  refining  from  the  mint,  and 
to  require  that  every  deposit  of  gold  bullion  made  therein  for  coin- 
age shall  be  adapteJ  to  said  purpose,  without  need  of  refining  :  Pro- 
vided, That  no  advances  in  coin  shall  be  made  upon  bullion  after  this 
regulation  shall  be  civried  into  effect,  except  upon  bullion  refined  as 
herein  prescribed. — Ibid. 

Profits  to  be  paid  into  the  Treasury. 

45.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  superintendent  of  the  mint  to  cause 
to  be  paid  annually  into  the  treasury  of  the  United  States  the  profits 
of  the  mint,  and  to  present  a  quarterly  account  of  the  expenditures 
of  the  mint  to  the  secretary  of  the  treasury. —  Ibid. 

III.    STAXDARD    WEIGHTS. 

Troy  pound. 

46.  For  the  purpose  of  securing  a  due  conformity  in  weight  of 
the  coins  of  the  tlnited  States,  to  the  provisions  of  the  ninth  section 
of  the  act,  passed  the  2d  of  April,  1792,  entitled  "An  act  establish- 
ing a  mint,  and  regulating  the  coins  of  the  United  States,"  the  brass 
troy  pound  weight  procured  by  the  minister  of  the  United  States  at 
London,  in  the  year  1827,  for  the  use  of  the  mint,  and  now  in  tho 
custody  of  the  director  thereof,  shall  be  the  standard  troy  pound  of 
the  mint  of  the  United  States,  conformably  to  which  the  coinage 
thereof  shall  be  regulated. — 19  May,  1828. 

Series  of  Standard  Weights  to  be  procured. — To  be  annually  tested. 

47.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  director  of  the  mint  to  procure, 
and  safely  to  keep  a  series  of  standard  weights,  corresponding  to  the 
aforesaid  troy  pound,  consisting  of  a  one  pound  weight,  and  the  re- 
quisite subdivisions  and  multiples  thereof,  from  the  hundredth  part 
of  a  grain  to  twenty-five  pounds.  And  the  troy  weights,  ordinarily 
employed  in  the  transactions  of  the  mint,  shall  be  regulated  accord- 
ing to  the  above  standards,  at  least  once  in  every  year,  under  his 
inspection  ;  and  their  accuracy  tested  annually  in  the  presence  of  the 
assay  commissioners,  on  the  day  of  the  annual  assay. — Ibid. 


The  Mint  of  the  VnHed  States.  6!r 

IV.    BRANCHES    OF    THE    MIXT. 

48.  Branches  of  the  mint  of  the  United  States  shall  he  established 
as  follows:  one  branch  at  the  city  of  New  Orleans  for  the  coinage 
of  gold  and  silver;  one  branch  at  the  town  of  Charlotte  in  Meck- 
linburg  county,  in  the  state  of  North  Carolina,  for  the  coinage  of 
gold  only  ;  and  one  branch  at  or  near  Dahlonega,  in  Lumpkin  county, 
in  the  state  of  Georgia,  also  for  the  coinage  of  gold  only. — 3  March^ 
1835. 

Officers  to  he  appointed. —  Clerics  and  worhmen. — Salaries. 

49.  So  soon  as  the  necessary  buildings  are  erected  for  the  purpose 
of  well  conductinar  the  business  of  each  of  the  said  branches,  the  fol- 
lowing officers  [see  53,  55)  shall  be  appointed  upon  the  nomination 
of  the  president,  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate:  one 
superintendent,  one  treasurer,  one  assayer,  one  chief  coiner,  one 
melter  and  one  refiner ;  and  the  superintendent  of  each  mint  shdl 
engage  and  employ  as  many  clerks  [see  57)  and  as  many  subordinate 
workmen  and  servants  as  shall  be  provided  for  by  law.  And  the 
salaries  of  the  said  officers  and  clerks  shall  be  as  follows  :  for  the 
branch  at  New  Orleans,  to  the  superintendent,  the  sum  of  two 
thousand  five  hundred  dollars;  to  ihe  treasurer,  the  sum  of  two 
thousand  dollars;  to  the  chief  coiner,  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dol- 
lars ;  to  the  assayer,  melter  and  refiner,  the  sum  of  two  thousand 
dollars  each;  to  two  clerks,  the  sum  of  twelve  hundred  dollars  each; 
(see  15  and  65) ;  to  the  subordinate  workmen  and  servants,  not  ex- 
ceeding twenty  in  number,  such  wages  and  allowances  as  are  custom- 
ary and  reasonable,  according  to  their  respective  stations  and  oc- 
cupations. For  the  branches  at  Charlotte  and  Dahlonega,  to  the 
superintendents,  each  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars,  who  shall  re- 
spectively discharge  the  duty  of  treasurers  ;  to  the  chief  coiners,  each 
the  sum  of  one  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  ;  to  the  assayeis,  melters 
and  refiners,  each  the  sum  of  one  thousand  five  hundred  dollars;  to 
the  clerks,  not  exceeding  one  at  each  branch,  the  sum  of  one  thousand 
dollars  ;  and  to  the  subordinate  workmen  and  servants,  not  exceed- 
ing the  immber  of  five  at  each  of  the  said  branches,  such  wages  and 
allowances  shall  be  paid  as  are  customary  and  reasonable,  according 
to  their  respective  stations  and  occupations. — Ibid. 

Oath  of  Office. — Bonds. 

50.  The  officers  and  clerks  to  be  appointed  under  this  act,  before 
entering  upon  the  duties  thereof,  shall  take  an  oath  or  affirmation 
before  some  judge  of  the  United  States  {see  56),  faithfully  and  dili- 
gently to  perform  the  duties  thereof;  and  shall  each  become  bound 
to  the  United  States  of  America,  with  one  or  more  sureties,  to  the 
satisfaction  of  the  director  of  the  mint  and  the  secretary  of  the  treas- 
ury, with  condition  for  the  faithful  and  diligent  performance  of  the 
duties  of  their  offices. — Ibid. 


68  The  Mint  of  the  United  States. 

Poioers  of  the  Director  of  the  Hint. 

51.  The  general  direction  of  the  business  of  the  said  branches  of 
the  mint  of  the  United  Stutes  shall  be  under  the  control  and  regula- 
tion of  the  director  of  the  mint  at  Philadelphia,  sul)ject  to  the  ap- 
probation of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  ;  and  for  that  purpose,  it 
shall  be  tlie  duty  of  tlie  said  dii-ector  to  prescribe  such  regulations, 
and  require  such  returns  j^eriodically,  and  occasionally,  as  shall  ap- 
pear to  him  to  be  necessary  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  into  effect 
the  intention  of  this  act  in  establishing  tlie  said  branches  ;  also  for 
the  purpose  of  discriminating  the  coin  which  shall  be  stamped  at 
each  branch,  and  at  the  mint  itself;  also  for  the  purpose  of  preserv- 
ing uniformity  of  weight,  form  and  fineness  in  the  coins  stamped  at 
each  place ;  and  for  that  purpose,  to  require  the  transmission  and  de- 
livery to  him  at  the  mint,  from  time  to  time,  such  parcels  of  the  coin- 
age of  each  branch  as  he  shall  think  proper  to  be  subjected  to  such 
assays  and  tests  as  he  shall  direct. — Ibid. 

jOaivs  regulatiyig  the  Mint,  etc.,  to  apply  to  the  ^Branches. 

52.  All  the  laws  and  parts  of  laws  made  for  the  regulation  of  the 
mint  of  the  United  States,  and  for  the  government  of  the  officers  and 
persons  employed  therein,  and  for  the  punishment  of  all  offences  con- 
nected Avith  the  mint  or  coinage  of  the  United  States,  shall  be  and 
the  same  are  hereby  declared  to  be  in  full  force,  in  relation  to  each 
of  the  branches  of  the  mint  by  this  act  established,  so  far  as  the  same 
shall  be  applicable  thereto. — Ibid. 

Officers  at  N'ew  Orleans. — Salaries. 

53.  The  officers  of  the  branch  mint  at  New  Orleans  shall  be 
one  superintendent,  one  treasurer,  one  assayer,  one  melter  and  re- 
finer, and  one  coiner  ;  and  the  officers  of  the  branch  mints  at  Char- 
lotte and  Dahlonega  severally,  shall  be  one  superintendent,  who 
shall  also  perform  the  duties  of  treasurer  ;  one  assayer,  who  shall 
also  perform  the  duties  of  melter  and  refiner  {see  55),  and  one  coiner. 
And  the  annual  salaries  of  the  said  officers  shall  be  as  follows:  for 
the  branch  at  New  Orleans,  to  the  superintendent,  two  thousand 
five  hundred  dollars  ;  to  the  treasurer,  the  assayer,  the  melter  and 
refiner,  and  the  coiner,  each  two  thousand  dollars:  for  the  branches 
at  Charlotte  and  Dahlonega,  to  the  superintendent,  two  thousand 
dollars  ;  and  to  the  assayer  and  the  coiner,  each  fifteen  hundi'ed 
dollars.— 13  March,  1837. 

Mepeal 

54.  That  so  much  of  the  act  entitled  "  An  act  to  establish  branche' 
of  the  mint  of  the  United  States,"  approved  the  3d  day  of  March, 
1835,  as  is  inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this  act,  be  and  the 
same  is  hereby  repealed. — Ibid. 


The  Mint  of  the  United  States.  69 

Duties  of  MeUer  and  Mefiner  transferred  to  Coiner  at  Dahlonega  and 

Charlotte. 

55.  That  an  act  passed  the  13th  day  of  February,  1837,  to  amend 
an  act  entitled  "  An  act  to  establish  branches  of  the  mint  of  the 
United  States,"  passed  the  3d  day  of  March,  1835,  be  and  it  is  hereby 
altered  and  amended  so  as  to  transfer  the  duties  of  melter  and  re- 
finer from  the  assayer  to  the  coiner  at  the  branches  of  Dahlonega 
in  Georgia,  and  of  Charlotte  in  North  Carolina,  respectively ; 
and  that  all  laws  and  parts  of  laws  conflicting  with  this  act  be  and 
they  are  hereby  repealed. — 27  February^  1843. 

Before  whom  Oath  of  Office  may  he  taken. 

56.  The  oath  or  affirmation  required  by  the  third  section  of  an 
act  passed  March  3d,  1835,  entitled  "An  act  to  establish  branches  of 
the  mint  of  the  United  States,"  may  be  taken  before  any  judge  of 
the  superior  court  or  of  any  court  of  record,  in  the  state  where  the 
branch  of  which  the  person  taking  said  oath  is  an  officer  or  clerk,  is 
situated. — 2  April,  1 844. 

Treasurers   to  appoint  their  oicn   Clerks.     Subject  to  approval  of 

Secretary. 

57.  That  so  much  of  the  second  section  of  the  act  approved  March 
3d,  1835,  entitled  "An  act  to  establish  branches  of  the  mint  of  the 
United  States,"  as  vests  the  appointment  of  the  clerks  of  the  treasurer 
in  the  superintendent  of  each  mint,  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  re- 
pealed ;  and  that  the  several  treasurers  of  the  United  States  mint  be 
and  they  are  hereby  authorized  to  appoint  tlieir  own  clerks,  subject, 
however,  to  the  approval  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury. — 3  J/arcA, 
1851. 

58.  That  a  branch  of  the  mint  of  the  United  States  be  established 
in  California,  to  be  located  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  for 
the  coinage  of  gold  and  silver. — July,  1852. 

59.  Suitable  buildings  shall  be  procured  or  erected,  for  carrj'ino" 
on  the  business  of  said  branch  mint;  and  the  following  oflicers  shall 
be  appointed,  so  soon  as  the  public  interests  may  require  their  ser- 
vices, upon  the  nomination  of  the  president,  [by]  and  with  the  ad- 
vice and  consent  of  the  senate,  to  wit :  one  superintendent,  one 
treasurer,  one  assayer,  one  melter  and  refiner,  and  one  coiner ;  and 
the  said  superintendent  shall  engage  and  employ  as  many  clerks, 
and  as  many  subordinate  workmen  and  servants,  as  shall  be  pro- 
vided for  by  law.  And  until  the  30th  of  June,  1855,  the  salaries  of 
said  oflicers  and  clerks  shall  be  as  follows:  to  the  superintendent 
and  to  the  treasurer,  the  sum  of  four  thousand  five  hundred  dollars 
each  ;  to  the  assayer,  to  the  melter  and  refiner,  and  to  the  coiner 
the  sum  of  three  thousand  dollars  each  ;  to  the  clerks,  the  sum  of  two 
thousand  dollars  each  ;  to  the  subordinate  workmen,  such  wa<'-es 
and  allowances  as  are  customary  and  reasonable,  accordino-  to  their 
respective  stations  and  occupations. — 3  Jaly^  1852. 


70  The  Mint  of  the  United  States. 

Oath. — Bonds. 

60.  The  officers  and  clerks  to  be  appointed  under  this  act,  before 
entering  iipon  the  duties  thereof,  shall  take  an  oath  or  affirmation 
before  some  judge  of  the  United  States,  or  the  supreme  court  of  the 
State  of  California,  faithfully  and  diligently  to  perform  the  duties 
thereof;  and  shall  each  become  bound  to  the  United  States  of 
America,  with  one  or  more  sureties,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  direc- 
tor of  the  mint  and  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  or  the  district 
attorney  of  the  United  States  for  the  state  of  California,  witli  con- 
dition for  the  faithful  and  diligent  performance  of  their  offices. — 
Ibid. 

Powers  of  the  Director  of  the  Mint. 

61.  The  general  direction  of  the  business  of  said  branch  of  the 
mint  of  the  United  States  shall  be  under  the  control  and  regulation 
of  the  director  of  the  mint  at  Philadelphia,  subject  to  the  approba- 
tion of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury;  and,  for  that  purpose,  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  said  director  to  prescribe  such  regulations,  and 
require  such  returns  periodically  and  occasionally,  as  shall  appear  to 
him  to  be  necessary  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  into  eftect  the  inten- 
tion of  this  act  in  establishing  the  said  branch  ;  also,  for  the  purpose 
of  disci'iminating  the  coin  which  shall  be  stamped  at  snid  branch 
and  at  the  mint  itself;  and  also  for  the  purpose  of  preserving  uni- 
formity of  Aveight,  form  and  fineness  in  the  coins  stamped  at  said 
branch ;  and  for  that  purpose,  to  require  the  transmission  and  de- 
livery to  him  at  the  mint,  from  time  to  time,  of  such  parcels  of  the 
coinage  of  said  branch  as  he  shall  think  proper,  to  be  subjected  to 
such  assays  and  tests  as  he  shall  direct. — Ihid. 

Laws  regulating  the  Mint^  etc.,  to  apply  to  tJds  Branch. 

62.  That  all  the  laws  and  parts  of  laws  now  in  force  for  the  reg- 
ulation of  the  mint  of  the  United  States,  and  for  the  government  of 
the  officers  and  persons  employed  therein,  and  for  the  punishment 
of  all  offences  connected  with  the  mint  or  coinage  of  the  United 
States,  shall  be  and  they  are  hereby  declared  to  be  in  full  force  in 
relation  to  the  branch  of  the  miut  by  this  act  established,  so  far  as 
the  same  may  be  applicable  thereto. — Ibid. 

To  be  the  Depository  of  Public  Moneys. — Duties  and  Liabilities  of 

Treasurer. 

63.  The  said  branch  mint  shall  be  the  place  of  deposit  for  the 
public  moneys  collected  in  the  custom-houses  in  the  state  of  Califor- 
nia, and  for  such  other  ptiblic  moneys  as  the  secretary  of  the  treas- 
ury may  direct.  And  the  treasurer  of  said  branch  mint  shall 
have  the  custody  of  the  same,  and  shall  perform  tl>e  duties  of  an 
assistant  treasurer,  and  for  that  purpose  shall  be  subject  to  all  the 
provisions  coutained  in  an  act  eutitled  "An  act  to  provide  for  the 
better   orgiinization  of  the  treasury,  and  for   the  collection,   safe- 


The  Mint  of  the  United  States.  71 

keeping,  transfer  and  disbursement  of  the  public  revenue,"  approved 
August  the  6tli,  1846,  wliich  relates  to  the  treasurer  of  the  branch 
mint  at  New  Orleans. — Ibid. 

Gold  to  he  Refined  and  cast  into  Ingots. —  Charges. 

64.  If  required  by  the  holder,  gold  in  grain  or  lumps  shall  be 
refined,  assayed,  cast  into  bars  or  ingots,  and  stamped  in  said  branch 
mint,  or  in  the  mint  of  the  United  States,  or  any  of  its  branches,  in 
such  manner  as  may  indicate  the  value  and  fineness  of  the  bar  or  in- 
got ;  which  shall  be  paid  for  by  the  owner  or  holder  of  said  bullion, 
at  such  rates  and  charges,  and  under  such  regulations,  as  the  direc- 
tor of  the  mint,  under  the  control  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,, 
may  from  time  to  time  establish. — Ihid. 

Pay  of  Clerks  at  Neio  Orleans  may  he  Increased. 

65.  That  the  seventh  section  of  the  act  of  18th  January,  1S37, 
entitled  "  An  act  supplementary  to  an  act  establishing  tiie  mint,  and 
regulating  the  coins  of  the  United  States,"  be  so  amended  as  to  ex- 
tend the  allowance  for  the  annual  salary  of  the  clerks  in  the  branch 
mint  of  the  United  States  at  New  Orleans,  to  eighteen  liundred  dol- 
lars each,  from  and  after  the  first  day  of  July,  1854,  at  the  discretion 
of  the  officers  authorized  by  law  to  appoint,  with  the  approbation 
of  the  president  of  the  United  States. — 3  March^  1855. 

V.       ASSAY  OFFICE,    NEW    YORK. 

66.  The  secretary  of  the  treasury  is  hereby  authorized  and  re- 
quired to  establish  in  the  city  of  New  York  an  office  for  the  receipt 
and  for  the  melting,  refining,  parting,  and  assaying  of  gold  and  silver 
bullion  and  foreign  coin,  and  for  casting  the  same  into  bars,  ingots, 
or  disks.  The  assistant  treasurer  of  the  United  States  in  New  York 
shall  be  treasurer  of  the  said  assay  office ;  and  the  secretary  of  the 
treasury  shall,  with  the  approbation  and  consent  of  the  president  of 
the  United  States,  appoint  such  other  officers  and  clerks,  authorize 
the  employment  of  such  assistants,  Avorkmen,  and  servants  as  shall 
be  necessary  for  the  proper  conduct  and  management  of  the  said 
office,  and  of  the  business  pertaining  thereto,  at  such  compensation 
as  shall  be  approved  by  the  president:  Provided,  That  the  same 
shall  not  exceed  that  allowed  for  corresponding  services  under 
existing  laws  relating  to  the  mint  of  the  United  States  and  its 
branches. — 3  March,  1853. 

Bullion. —  Certificates. — Ingots,  etc. 

67.  The  owner  or  owners  of  any  gold  or  silver  bullion,  in  dust  or 
otherwise,  or  of  any  foreign  coin,  shall  be  entitled  to  dej)osit  the 
same  in  the  said  office,  and  the  treasurer  thereof  sliall  give  a  receipt, 
stating  the  weight  and  description  thereof,  in  the  manner  and  under 
the  regulations  that  are  or  may  be  provided  in  like  cases  of  deposits 
at  the  mint  of  the  United   States  with  the  treasurer  thereof.     And 


72  The  Mint  of  Ihe  United  States. 

such  bullion  shall,  without  delay,  "be  melted,  parted,  refined,  and 
assayed,  and  the  net  value  thereof,  and  of  all  foreign  coins  deposited 
in  said  office,  shall  be  ascertained;  and  the  treasurer  shall  thereupon 
forthwith  issue  his  certificate  of  the  net  value  thereof,  ])ayable  in 
coins  of  the  same  metal  as  that  deposited,  either  at  the  office  of  the 
assistant  treasurer  of  the  United  States,  in  New  York,  or  at  the 
mint  of  the  United  States,  at  the  option  of  tlie  depositor,  to  be  ex- 
pressed in  the  certificate;  which  certificates  shall  be  receivable  at 
any  time,  within  sixty  days  from  the  date  thereof,  in  payment  of  all 
debts  due  to  the  United  States  at  the  port  of  New  York,  for  the  full 
sum  therein  certified.  All  gold  or  silver  bullion  and  foreign  coin 
deposited,  melted,  parted,  refined,  or  assayed  as  aforesaid,  shall,  at 
the  option  of  the  depositor,  be  cast  in  the  said  office  into  bars,  in- 
gots, or  disks,  either  of  pure  metal  or  of  standard  fineness  (as  tlie 
owner  may  prefer),  with  a  stamp  thereon  of  such  form  and  device 
as  shall  be  prescribed  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  accui-ately 
designating  its  weight  and  fineness:  Provided,  That  no  ingot,  bar, 
or  disk  shall  be  cast  of  less  weight  than  five  ounces,  unless  the  same 
be  of  standard  fineness,  and  of  either  one,  two,  or  three  ounces  in 
weight.  And  all  gold  or  silver  bullion  and  foreign  coin  intended  by 
the  depositor  to  be  converted  into  the  coins  oi'  the  United  Slates, 
shall,  as  soon  as  assayed  and  its  net  value  certified  as  above  pro- 
vided, be  transferred  to  the  mint  of  the  United  States,  under  such 
directions  as  shall  be  made  by  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  and  at 
the  expense  of  the  contingent  fund  of  the  mint,  and  shall  there  be 
coined.  And  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  is  hereby  authorized, 
with  the  approval  of  the  president  of  the  United  States,  to  make  the 
necessary  regulations  for  the  adjustment  of  the  accounts  between 
the  respective  officers,  upon  the  transfer  of  any  bullion  or  coin  be- 
tween the  assay  office,  the  mint,  and  assistant  treasurer  in  New 
Yov\i.—Ibid. 

Powers  of  Director  of  the  3Iint. 

68.  The  operations  of  melting,  parting,  refining,  and  assaying  in 
the  said  office  shall  be  under  the  general  directions  of  the  director 
of  the  mint,  in  subordination  to  the  secretary  of  the  treasury;  and 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  said  director  to  prescribe  such  regula- 
tions, and  to  order  such  tests,  as  shall  be  requisite  to  insure  faithful- 
ness, accuracy,  and  uniformity  m  the  operations  of  the  said  office. — 
Ibid. 

Laics  regulating  the  Mint,  etc.,  to  apply  to  this  Office. 

09.  The  laws  of  the  United  States  for  the  government  of  the 
mint  and  its  officers  in  relation  to  the  receipt,  })ayment,  custody  of 
dej)Osits  and  settlement  of  accounts,  the  duties  and  responsibilities 
of  officers  and  others  employed  therein,  the  oath  to  be  taken  and 
the  bond  and  sureties  to  be  given  by  them  (as  far  as  the  same  may 
be  applicable),  shall  extend  to  the  assay  office  hereby  established, 
and  to  its  officers,  assistants,  clerks,  workmen,  and  others  employed 
therein. — Ibid. 


i 


^he  Mint  of  the  United  States.  73 

Charges  for  Mefining,  etc. 

70.  The  same  charges  sl)aU  be  made  and  demanded  at  the  said 
assay  office  for  refining,  parting,  casting  into  bars,  ingots,  or  disks, 
and  for  alloy,  as  are  or  shall  be  made  and  demanded  at  the  mint 
{see  Sec.  43)  ;  and  no  other  charges  shall  be  made  to  depositors  than 
by  law  are  authorized  to  be  made  at  the  mint.  And  the  amount 
received  from  the  charges  hereby  authorized  shall  be  accounted  for 
and  appropriated  for  defraying  the  contingent  expenses  of  the  said 
office. — Ibid. 

buildings  and  Machinery. 

71.  The  secretary  of  the  treasury  is  authorized  to  procure,  by 
rent,  lease,  or  otherwise,  a  building  or  apartments  in  the  city  of 
New  York,  suitable  for  the  operations  of  said  office,  unless  he  shall 
be  of  opinion  that  suitable  apartments  in  the  custom-house  in  that 
city  may  be  assigned  for  this  purpose.  And  he  is  also  hereby  au- 
thorized and  directed  to  procure  the  necessary  machinery  and  im- 
plements for  carrying  on  the  operations  and  business  of  the  said 
office. — Ibid. 

CHAPTER  SECOND. 

VI.       ASSAY  AND  COINAGE  OF  BULLION. 

1.  The  provisions  of  the  5th  section  of  chapter  97  of  the  act  of 
Congress  approved  March  3d,  1853  (see  44),  requii'ing  the  secretary 
of  the  treasury  to  limit  the  amount  of  refining  at  tlie  mint,  when- 
ever private  establishments  shall  be  capable  of  refining  bullion,  shall 
be  extended  to  the  several  branches  of  the  mint,  and  to  the  United 
States  assay  office  at  New  York,  in  all  cases  where  deposits  of  bul- 
lion are  made  for  coins  or  fine  bars. — 20  February,  1861. 

2.  The  mint  of  the  United  States  and  branches  shall  continue  to 
refine  gold  and  silver  bullion,  and  no  contract  to  exchange  crude  or 
unparted  bullion  for  refined  bars  shall  be  made  until  authorized  by 
law.— 20  July,  1868. 

VII.       BRANCHES  OF  THE  MINT. 

3.  That  a  branch  of  the  mint  of  the  United  States  be  located  and 
established  at  Denver,  in  the  territory  of  Colorado,  for  the  coinage 
of  gold. — 21  Ai^ril,  1862. 

Officers  of  branch  3Iint  at  Denver. 

4.  For  carrying  on  the  business  of  said  branch,  the  following 
officers  shall  be  appointed,  as  soon  as  the  public  interest  shall  re- 
quire their  service,  upon  the  nomination  of  the  president,  by  and 
with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate,  namely :  one  superin- 
tendent, one  assayer,  one  nielter  and  refiner,  and  one  coiner;  and 
the  said  superintendent  shall  employ  as  many  clerks,  subordinate 
workmen  and  laborers,  under  the  direction  of  the  secretary  of  the 


74  The  Mint  of  the  United  States. 

treasury,  as  may  be  required.  The  salaries  of  tlie  said  officers  shall  be 
as  follows  :  to  the  superintendent,  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars  ; 
to  the  assayer,  the  sum  of  eighteen  hundred  dollars;  to  the  melter 
and  refiner,  eighteen  hundred  dollars ;  to  the  coiner,  eighteen  hun- 
dred dollars ;  to  the  clerks,  subordinate  Avorkmen  and  laborers, 
such  wages  and  allowances  as  are  customary,  according  to  their 
respective  stations  and  occupations. — Ibid. 

To  give  Bond. 

5.  The  officers  and  clerks  to  be  appointed  under  this  act,  before 
entering  upon  the  execution  of  their  offices,  shall  take  an  oath  or 
affirmation,  before  some  judge  of  the  United  States,  or  of  the  su- 
preme court  of  said  territory,  faithfully  and  diligently  to  perform 
the  duties  of  their  offices ;  and  shall  each  become  bound  to  the 
United  States  of  America,  with  one  or  more  sureties,  to  the  satis- 
faction of  the  director  of  the  mint,  or  the  secretary  of  the  territory 
of  Colorado,  and  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  with  the  condi- 
tion of  the  faithful  performance  of  the  duties  of  their  offices. — Ibid. 

Powers  of  Director  of  the  Mint. 

6.  The  general  direction  of  the  business  of  said  branch  of  the 
mint  of  the  United  States  shall  be  under  the  control  and  regulation 
of  the  director  of  the  mint  at  Philadelphia,  subject  to  the  approba- 
tion of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury;  and  for  that  purpose,  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  said  director  to  prescribe  such  regulations,  and 
require  such  returns  periodically  Snd  occasionally,  and  to  establish 
such  charges  for  parting,  assaying,  refining  and  coining,  as  shall 
appear  to  him  to  be  necessary  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  into  effect 
the  intention  of  this  act  in  establishing  said  branch  ;  also  for  the 
purpose  of  preserving  uniformity  of  weight,  form  and  finish  in  the 
coin  stamjDed  at  said  branch. — Ibid. 

To  he  a  Depository  for  Public  Moneys, 

7.  Said  branch  mint  shall  be  a  place  of  deposit  for  such  public 
moneys  as  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  may  direct;  and  the  super- 
intendent of  said  branch  muit,  who  shall  perform  the  duties  of 
treasurer  thereof,  shall  have  the  custody  of  the  same,  and  also  per- 
form the  duties  of  assistant  treasurer;  and  for  that  purpose  shall  be 
subject  to  all  the  provisions  contained  in  an  act  entitled"  An  act  to 
provide  for  the  better  organization  of  the  treasury,  and  for  the  collec- 
tion, safe-keeping,  transfer  and  disbursement  of  the  jjublic  revenue," 
approved  August  Gth,  184(3  [see  Sec.  43,  6-'),  which  relates  to  the 
treasury  of  the  branch  mint  at  New  Orleans. — Ibid. 

Certificates  of  Deposit. 

8.  That  the  superintendent  of  said  branch  mint  be  authorized, 
under  the  direction  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  and  on  terms  to 
be  prescribed  by  him,  to  issue  in  payment  of  the  gold  dust  and 


The  Mint  of  the  United  States.  7S 

bullion  deposited  for  assay  and  coinage  or  bars,  drafts  or  certificates 
of  deposit,  payable  at  the  treasury  or  any  sub-treasury  of  the  United 
States,  to  any  depositor  electing  to  receive  payment  in  that  form. — 
Ibid. 

General  Laws  extended  to  this  13 ranch. 

9.  All  the  laws  and  parts  of  laws  now  in  force  for  the  regulation 
of  the  mint  of  the  United  States,  and  for  the  government  of  the 
officers  and  persons  employed  tiierein,  and  for  tlie  punishment  of  all 
offences  connected  with  tlie  mint  or  coinage  of  the  United  States, 
shall  be  and  tliey  are  hereby  declared  to  be  in  full  force  in  relation 
to  the  branch  of  the  mint  by  this  act  established,  as  far  as  the  same 
may  be  applicable  thereto. — Ibid. 

JBranch  Mint  at  Carson  City. 

10.  That  a  branch  of  the  mint  of  the  United  States  be  located 
and  established  at  Carson  City,  in  the  territory  of  Nevada,  for  the 
coinage  of  gold  and  silver. — 3  JIarch,  1863. 

Appointment  of  Officers. — Salaries. 

11.  For  carrying  on  the  business  of  said  branch,  the  following 
officers  shall  be  appointed,  as  soon  as  the  public  interest  shall  re- 
quire their  service,  upon  tlie  nomination  of  the  president,  by  and 
with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate,  namely  :  one  superintend- 
ent, one  assayer,  one  melter  and  refiner,  and  one  coiner  ;  and  the  said 
superintendent  shall  tMiiploy  as  many  clerks,  subordinate  workmen 
and  laborers,  under  the  direction  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  as 
may  be  required.  The  salaries  of  the  said  officers  shall  be  as  fol- 
lows :  to  the  superintendent,  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars ;  to 
the  assayer,  the  sura  of  eighteen  hundred  dollars  ;  to  the  melter  and 
refiner,  eighteen  hundred  dollars ;  to  the  clerks,  subordinate  work- 
men, and  laborers,  such  wages  and  allowances  as  are  customary, 
according  to  their  respective  stations  and  occupations. — Ibid. 

Oath  of  Office. — Bonds. 

1 2.  The  officers  and  clerks  to  be  appointed  under  this  act,  before 
entering  upon  the  execution  of  their  offices,  shall  take  an  oath  or 
affirmation,  before  some  judge  of  the  United  States,  or  of  the  su- 
preme court  of  said  territory,  faithfully  and  diligently  to  perform 
the  duties  of  their  offices ;  and  shall  each  become  bound  to  the 
United  States  of  America,  with  one  or  more  sureties,  to  the  satisfac- 
tion of  the  director  of  tlie  mint,  or  the  secretary  of  the  territory  tof 
Nevada,  and  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  with  the  condition  of 
the  faithful  performance  of  the  duties  of  the  offices. — Ibid. 

Powers  of  Director  of  the  Mint. 

13.  The  general  direction  of  the  business  of  said  branch  of  the 
mint  of  the  United  States  shall  be  under  the  control  and  rerjulation 


76  The  Mint  of  the  United  States. 

of  the  director  of  the  mint  at  Philadelphia,  subject  to  the  approba- 
tion of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  ;  and  for  that  purpose,  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  said  director  to  prescribe  such  regulations  and 
require  such  returns  peiiodically  and  occasionally,  and  to  establish 
such  charges  for  parting,  assaying,  refining  and  coining  as  shall 
appear  to  him  to  be  necessary  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  into  effect 
the  intention  of  this  act  in  establishing  said  branch ;  also  for  the 
purpose  of  preserving  uniformity  of  weight,  form  and  finish  in  the 
coin  stamped  at  said  branch. — Ibid. 

To  he  a  Public  Depository. 

14.  Said  branch  mint  shall  be  a  place  of  deposit  for  such  public 
moneys  as  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  may  direct ;  and  the  superin- 
tendent of  said  branch  mint,  who  sliall  perform  the  duties  of  treasurer 
thereof,  siiall  have  the  custody  of  the  same,  and  also  perform  the 
duties  of  assistant  treasurer ;  and  foi-  that  purpose  shall  be  subject 
to  all  the  provisions  contained  in  an  act  entitled  "An  act  to  provide 
for  the  better  organization  of  the  treasury,  and  for  the  collection, 
safe-keeping,  transfer  and  disbursement  of  the  public  revenue,"  ap- 
proved August  6th,  1846,  which  relates  to  the  treasury  of  the  branch 
mint  at  New  Orleans, — Ibid. 

Drafts  to  be  issued  for  Gold  Dust. 

15.  That  the  superintendent  of  said  branch  mint  be  authorized, 
under  the  direction  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  and  on  terms 
to  be  prescribed  by  him,  to  issue  in  payment  of  the  gold  dust  and 
bullion  deposited  for  ass;iy  and  coinage  or  bars,  drafts  or  certificates 
of  deposit,  payable  at  the  treasury  or  any  sub-treasury  of  the  United 
States,  to  any  depositor  electing  to  receive  payment  in  that  form. — 
Ibid. 

Laws  Hegulating  the  Mint  extended  to  this  Branch. 

16.  All  the  laws  and  parts  of  laws  now  in  force  for  the  regulation 
of  the  mint  of  the  United  States,  and  for  the  government  of  the 
officers  and  persons  employed  therein,  and  for  the  punishment  of  all 
offences  connected  with  the  mint  or  coinage  of  the  United  States, 
shall  be  and  they  are  hereby  declared  to  be  in  full  force  in  relation 
to  the  branch  of  the  mint  by  this  act  established,  as  far  as  the  same 
may  be  applicable  thereto. — Ibid. 

Branch  Mint  at  Dalles  City. 

17.  That  a  branch  of  the  mint  of  the  United  States  be  located 
and  established  at  Dalles  City,  in  the  state  of  Oregon,  for  the  coinage 
of  gold  and  silver. — Ath  July,  1864. 

Salaries. 

18.  For  carrying  on  the  business  of  the  said  branch  the  following 
officers  shall  be  appointed,  as  soon  as  the  public  interest  shall  require 
their  service,  upon  the  nomination  of  the  president,  by  and  with  the 


The  Mint  of  the  United  States.  77 

advice  and  consent  of  the  senate,  namely:  one  superintendent,  one 
assayer  and  one  raelter  and  refiner  and  one  coiner  ;  and  the  super- 
intendent shall  employ  as  many  clerks,  subordinate  workmen  and 
laborers,  under  the  direction  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  as  may 
be  required.  The  salaries  of  the  said  officers  and  clerks  shall  be  as 
follows :  to  the  superintendent,  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dollaiis ; 
to  the  assayer,  the  sum  of  eighteen  hundred  dollars ;  to  the  melter 
and  refiner,  eighteen  hundred  dollars;  to  the  clerks,  subordinate 
workmen  and  laborers,  such  wages  and  allowances  as  are  customary, 
according  to  their  respective  stations  and  occupations. — Ibid. 

Oath  of  Office. — Bonds. 

19.  The  oflScers  and  clerks  to  be  appointed  under  this  act,  before 
entering  upon  the  execution  of  their  offices,  shall  take  an  oath  or 
affirmation  before  some  judge  of  the  United  States,  or  of  the 
supreme  court  of  said  state,  faithfully  and  diligently  to  perform  the 
duties  of  their  offices  ;  and  shall  each  becouie  bound  to  the  United 
States  of  America,  with  one  or  more  sureties,  to  the  satisf  iction  of 
the  director  of  the  mint,  or  the  district  judge  of  the  United  States 
for  the  district  of  Oregon,  and  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  with 
the  condition  of  the  faithful  performance  of  the  duties  of  their 
offices. — Ibid. 

Poioers  of  Director  of  the  Mint. 

20.  The  general  direction  of  the  business  of  said  branch  mint  of 
the  United  States  shall  be  under  the  control  and  regulation  of  the 
director  of  the  mint,  at  Philadelphia,  subject  to  the  .-ipprobation  of 
the  secretary  of  the  treasury;  and  for  that  purpose,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  said  director  to  prescribe  such  regulations,  and  to  require 
such  returns,  periodically  and  occasionally,  and  to  establish  such 
charges  for  parting,  assaying,  refining,  and  coining,  as  shall  appear 
to  hi  HI  to  be  necessary  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  into  effijct  the 
intention  of  this  act  in  establishing  said  branch  ;  also  for  the  purpose 
of  preserving  uniformity  of  weight,  foi'ra,  and  finish  in  the  coin 
stamped  at  said  branch. — Ibid. 

To  he  a  Public  Depository. 

21.  Said  branch  mint  sliall  be  a  place  of  deposit  for  such  public 
moneys  as  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  may  direct ;  and  the  super- 
intendent of  said  branch  mint,  who  shall  perform  the  duties  of 
treasurer  thereof,  shall  have  the  custody  of  the  same,  and  also  per- 
form the  duties  of  assistant  treasurer  ;  and  for  that  purpose  shall  be 
subject  to  all  the  provisions  contained  in  an  act  entitled  "  An  act  to 
provide  for  the  better  organization  of  the  treasury,  and  for  the 
collection,  safe-keeping,  transfer,  and  disbursement  of  the  public 
revenue,"  approved  August  6,  1846,  which  relates  to  the  treasury 
of  the  branch  mint  at  New  Orleans. — Ibid. 


78  Tlie  Mint  of  the  United  States. 

Drafts  to  be  issued  for  Gold  dust  and  Bullion. 

22.  That  the  superintendent  of  said  branch  mint  be  authorized, 
under  the  direction  of  tlie  secretary  of  the  tre:isury,  and  on  terms  to 
be  prescribed  by  liira,  to  issue  in  the  payment  of  the  gold  dust  and 
bullion  deposited  for  assay  and  coinage,  or  bars,  drafts,  or  ceitificates 
of  deposit,  payable  at  the  treasury  or  any  sub-treasury  of  the 
United  States,  to  any  depositor  electing  to  receive  payment  in  that 
form. — Ibid. 

Laws  regulating  the  Jlint  extoided  to  this  Branch. 

23.  All  the  laws  and  parts  of  laws  now  in  force  for  the  regulation 
of  the  mint  of  the  United  States,  and  for  the  government  of  the 
officers  and  persons  employed  therein,  and  for  the  punishment  of  :dl 
offences  connected  with  the  mint  or  coinage  of  the  United  States, 
shall  be  and  they  are  hereby  declared  to  be  in  full  force  in  relat.on 
to  the  branch  of  the  mint  by  this  act  established,  as  far  as  the  same 
may  be  applicable  thereto. — Ibid. 

VIII.       ASSAY  OFFICE,  BOISE  CITY. 

24.  That  a  United  States  assay  office  be  located  and  established 
at  Boise  City,  in  the  territory  of  Idaho,  for  the  assaying  of  gold  and 
silver.  For  the  carrying  on  of  the  business  of  said  office  the  follow- 
ing officers  shall  l)e  appointed,  as  soon  as  the  public  interest  shall 
require  their  service,  upon  the  nomination  of  the  president,  by  and 
with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate,  namely  :  one  superintend- 
ent, one  assayer,  and  one  melter  and  refiner,  and  two  clerks;  and 
the  superintendent  may  employ  as  many  subordinate  workmen  and 
laborers,  under  the  direction  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  as  ms.^^ 
be  required.  The  salaries  of  the  said  officers  and  clerks  shall  be  as 
follows:  to  the  superintendent,  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars;  to 
the  assayer,  the  sum  of  eighteen  hundred  dollars;  to  the  melter  and 
refiner,  eighteen  hundred  dollars;  to  the  clerks,  one  eighteen  nun- 
dred  dollars  and  one  sixteen  hundred  dollars ;  to  the  subordinate 
workmen  and  laborers  such  wages  and  allowances  as  are  customary, 
according  to  their  respective  stations  and  occupations. — 19^/i  Feb. 
1869. 

Oath  of  Office. — Bond. 

25.  The  officers  and  clerks  to  be  appointed  under  this  act,  before 
entering  upon  the  execution  of  their  offices,  shall  take  an  oath  or 
affirmation  before  some  judge  of  the  United  States,  or  of  the  sup\*eme 
court  of  said  territory,  as  prescribed  by  the  act  of  July  2,  1862,  and 
each  become  bound  to  the  United  States  of  America,  with  one  or 
more  sureties,  to  the  satisfaction  of  tlie  director  of  the  mint,  or  of 
one  of  the  judges  of  the  supreme  court  of  Idaho  territory,  and  of  the 
secretary  of  the  treasury,  with  the  condition  of  the  faithful  perform- 
*nce  of  the  duties  of  their  offices. — Ibid. 


The  Mint  of  the  United  States.  79 

To  he  Subject  to  the  (Jontrol  of  the  Director  of  the  Mint. 

26.  The  general  direction  of  the  business  of  said  assay  office  of 
the  United  States  shall  be  under  the  control  and  regulation  of  the 
director  of  the  mint  at  Philadelphia,  subject  to  ihe  approbaticm  of 
the  secretary;  and  for  that  purpose,  it  sliall  be  the  duty  of  the  said 
director  to  prescribe  such  i-egulations,  and  to  require  such  returns, 
periodically  and  occasionally,  and  to  establish  such  charijes  for  part- 
ing, assaying,  melting  and  refining,  as  shall  appear  to  him  to  be 
necessary  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  into  effect  the  intention  of  this 
act  in  establishing  said  assay  office. — Ibid. 

To  he  a  Public  Depository. 

27.  Said  assay  office  shall  be  a  place  of  deposit  for  such  public 
moneys  as  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  may  direct ;  and  the  super- 
intendent of  said  assay  office,  who  shall  perform  the  duties  of  treas- 
urer thereof,  shall  have  the  custody  of  the  same,  and  also  perform 
the  duties  of  assistant  treasurer  ;  and  for  that  purpose  shall  be  sub- 
ject to  all  the  provisions  contained  in  an  act  [entitled]  "An  act  to 
provide  for  the  better  organization  of  the  treasury,  and  for  the 
collection,  safe-keeping,  transfer  and  disbursement  of  the  public 
revenue,"  approved  August  G,  1846,  which  relates  to  the  treasury 
of  the  branch  mint  of  New  Orleans.      (  See  Sec.  44). — Ibid. 

Certificates  of  Deposit  to  he  Issued  for  Bidlion. 

28.  That  the  superintendent  of  said  assay  office  be  authorized, 
mider  the  direction  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury,  and  on  terms  to 
be  prescribed  by  him,  to  issue  in  payment  of  the  gold  dust  and 
bullion  deposited  for  assay  and  coinage  or  bars,  drafts  or  certificates 
of  de]iosit,  in  sums  of  not  less  than  one  hundred  dollars,  payable  at 
the  treasury,  or  any  sub-treasury  of  the  United  States,  to  any 
depositor  electing  to  receive  payment  in  that  form. — Ibid. 

Certain  Laws  extended  to  this  Office. 

29.  All  the  laws  and  parts  of  laws  now  in  force  for  the  regula 
tion  of  the  United  States  assay  office  at  New  York,  and  for  the 
government  of  the  officers  and  persons  employed  therein,  and  for  the 
punishment  of  all  offences  connected  with  said  assay  office,  or 
witli  the  mint  of  the  United  States,  shall  be  and  they  are  hereby 
declared  to  be  in  full  force  in  relation  to  the  assay  office  by  this  act 
located  and  established,  so  far  as  the  same  may  be  applicable 
thereto. — Ibid. 


80  Numismatic  Dictionary, 


THE 

2^511  MISMATIC    DICTIONARY, 

OR, 

COLLECTIOX  OF  THE    NAMES  OP   ALL  THE  COINS   KNOWN, 

FROM  THE    EARLIEST   PERIOD    UP   TO   THE   PRESENT 

DAY,     WITH     THEIR    COUNTRIES,    VALUES, 

MULTIPLES,    DIVISIONS,    ETC. 


Abacus,  the  Roman  calculation  Table. 

Abassi,  Persian,  Silver,  value  6d.     Qu.  Shahee. 

Abbey  Pieces,  various  countries,  Brass,  possibly  current  for  small 

sums,  but  chiefly  used  in  computation  as  Jetons. 
Abidi,  Silver,  half  rupee  of  3[ysore. 
Abra,  Polish,  Silver,  value  Is. 

Abuquelp,  Egyptian,  Silver,  value  30  medini.  Is.  6d.     See  Griscio. 
AciiESON,    Scots  Billon,    value  8d.,    named   from   Atkinson,    mint 

master. 
AcHTZEHNER,  Swedish,  Silver. 
AcKEY,  colonial,  Silver,  coined  in  1818. 
AcKTE,  Ashantee,  Gold,  value  os.  4d.  from  Ackee,  seed  of  Guinea, 

Af 
Adha,  Silver  of  Nepaul,  equal  to  a  quarter  Rupee. 
Adlea,  Trifjoli.     A   billon  coin,  issued  in   1827,  plated  with  Gold, 

forced  upon  the  people  as  the  equivalent  of  a  Dollar. 
Aes,  Roman,  term  for  money  in  general,  Brass. 

Aefortiati,  Roman,  Senatorian  coins  of  the  12th  and  13th  centu- 
ries. 
Aftaby,  scallop  shaped  gold   coin  of  the  Mogul  dynasty,  said,  to 

have  been  coined  in  the  reign  of  Akbar,  a.d.  1014. 
Ahmedi,  Gold  coin  of  Mysore  (Uindustaii)  about  31  to  32s.  sterling. 
Ahmulahs,    Abyssinian  salt   money,    various   sizes,   new,   20  to  a 

Dollar. 
Aignel,  Anglo-Gallic,  Gold.     Bearing  the  Agnus  Dei. 
Akhter,  Copper,  quarter  of  the  Pice  of  Mysore. 
Akcheh,  Turkish  silver,  very  small,  value  about  \  of  the  Para. 
Albert,  Flemish,  Gold.     Also  Dollars  and  Groschen. 


Numismatic  Dictionary.  81 

Albcs,  German,  Copper,  value  12  Hellers,  at  Cassel,  Cologne,  etc. 

Alfazzat,  Persian,  Silver. 

AiLEVURE,  Swedish,  Copper,  the  smallest  value. 

Almoxd,  Hhulostan.  The  nut  is  current,  40  to  a  Pice.  See  Bad- 
dam. 

Altin,  Russian,  Silver. 

Altmiciilic,  Turkish,  Silver,  value  3s.,  60  Paras. 

AxGEL,  English,  Gold,  value  6s.  8d.,  bearing  St.  Michael  and 
Dragon. 

Angelet,  English,  Gold,  the  half  x\ngel,  value  3s.  4d. 

AxGSTEK,  Swiss,  Copper,  alsu  Rapp,  vahie  half  a  Rapen.     Zurich. 

AxKOsEE,  Chinsoree,  a  Rupee  of  Silver,  cun-ent  in  the  Deccan. 

Anxa,  or  AxA,  Hindostan,  Silver,  16  to  a  Rupee. 

ApERmAS,  Maltese. 

Archer,  Persian,  Gold,  the  Daric. 

Ardite,  Spanisli,  Copper,  ancient  and  of  small  value.     Catalonia. 

Argexteus  Axtoxinianus,  large  Silver  of  Caracalla  (Roman), 
about  60  to  the  then  Roman  pound. 

Armoodi,  Turkish,  Gold. 

As,  Roman,  Brass,  value  varied,  literally  lib.  of  12  oz.,  but  reduced, 
216  B.C.,  to  one  ounce. 

AsHEREH,  Modern  Egypt,  Silver,  =10  Paras,  01|. 

Ashrafi,  Persian,  Gold,  value  9s.  sterling  currency.  There  is  also 
the  treble  Ashrafi,  called  '■''  Mahr-Ashraji.'''' 

AsHRi'FFY,  Hindostan,  Gold,  value  12s.  6d.     Nepaul. 

AsHREXEAH,  Modern  Egypt,  Silver,  =20  Paras,  02-^. 

As  LiBRALis,  As  Grave.     Other  names  for  the  weighty  As. 

AspAR,  AsPRE,  or  MiXA,  Turkish,  Silver.     120  to  a  Piastre. 

AssARius,  Small  Roman  Copper,  appearing  in  the  reign  of  Diocletian. 

AssiGXATS,  French  notes,  first  issued  April  19th,  1790. 

AssARiox,  Greek,  Brass,  rendered  farthing. 

Attine,  Polish,  Silver,  value  5d. 

August  D'or,  Saxony,  Gold,  value  16s.  3d. 

Aureus,  Roman,  Gold,  value  16s.  8d,     The  Bezant  also. 

Autonomous,  Coins  of  Cities  in  Greece,  enjoying  their  own  laws. 


Baat,  Siamese,  Sliver,  value  2s.  6d.,  nut  shaped. 

Baboyeres,  Silver,  coin  current  in  Lorraine  about  a.d.  1511. 

Bache,  Zurich,  Billon,  value  Ifd. 

Baddam,  Hindostan,  the  almond  of  Persia,  current  on  the  Malabar 

coast. 
Bagattixo,  Venetian,  Copper,  value  half  Soldi,  ^d. 
Bagoglee,  Persian,  Gold,  a  ducat.     Bajoglee. 
Baiocco,  Papal,  Copper,  value  W. 

Baiochello,  Papal,  Billon,  single  value  id.,  double  value  2d. 
Bahadry,  Hindostan,  Gold,  the  Star  Pagoda,  in  the  Mysore,  so 

called. 
Bajoire,  Genevese,  Silver,  value  4s.  6d. 

6 


S2  Nximismatic  Dictionary. 

Bakri,  Silver,  quarter  Rupee  of  Mysore. 

Banco,  Genoese,  Bank  money.     The  word  Bank  is  derived  from 

the  Lombards,  the  Bench  for  transacting  business. 
Banco-daler,  Swedish,  paper  money  issued  by  the  National  Bank, 

equivalent  to  about  35  cents. 
Band,  African,  weight  for  gold  dust,  2  oz. 
Bank  Dollar,  Hatnburg,  Silver, 

In   England,   the  Spanish  Dollar,   re-stamped  and  issued,  as  a 
■  Token,  by  the  Bank,  in  1804. 
Barbone,  Luccese,  Silver,  value  6d.     Qu.  Bearded  bead. 
Bars,  Siamese,  Siver,  current. 
Bars,  W.  African,  Iron,  current. 
Basarmo,  Hindostan,  Tin. 
Basaruco,  Hindostan,  Tin,  Malabar  coast,    value  10  to    Id.,  see 

Budgerook. 
Batz,  Swiss,  Copper  silvered,  value  l^d.,  10  Rappen. 
Bawbee,  Scots,  Copper,  value  ^d.     Qu.  Bas  Piece. 
Beard  Coins,  Russian,  Copper.     Receipt  for  being  shaved. 
Bedidlik,  Modern  Egypt,  Gold,  =  100  piastres,  $4  97. 
Beka,  Jewish,  Silver.     The  half  Shekel.     Baka,  divided. 
Bell  Dollar,  Brunswick,  Silver,  D.  Augustus  1643,  with  and  with- 
out clapper. 
Benda,  Ashantee,  Gold,  value  £10  13s.  4d. 
Bendiky,  Morocco,  Gold,  value  9s. 

Bener-Penxy,  Anglo-Saxon,  Silver,  given  in  charity.     See  Mserra. 
Bes  or  Hessis,  Roman,  piece  of  8  unciae. 
Beshlik,  Turkish,  Silver,  value  5  paras. 
Bestic  or  Beslic,  Turkisli,  Silver,  value  5  aspers,  3d. 
Bezant.      The  Byzantine    ducat.  Gold.      Also  silver  Bezantines, 

Imperial  coins  from  the  5th  century  after  Christ,  each  value  28. 
Bezzo,  Venetian,  Copper,  value  ^d.     Bezzi  money. 
BiA,  Sianiese,  Copper,  round  and  thick,  value  200  cowries. 
BiGATi,  Roman,  Silver,  the  denarius  bearing  a  two-horsed  car. 
BiGOTA,  Chili,  Gold.     Qu.  Mustachio. 
Billon,  coins  of  mixed  metal,  silver  and  copper.     Bas  Billon  the 

worst. 
BiSTi,  Persian,  Silver,  value,  2d. 
Bit,  the  Spanish  Real,   Silver,  in  Jamaica:    also  the   Portuguese 

Testone  ;  there  are  aUo  Half  Bits,  silver  cut  from  Dollars. 
Black  Dog,  St.    Christopher's,  Billon.     The  Cut  Dollar,   also  so 

called. 
Black  Mail,  Scots  protection  money. 

Blanque  Maille,  French,  bad  Silver. 
Black  Money,  English,  the  Bas  Billon,  denounced,  temp.  Edward  I. 
Black  Peake,  Indian.     Hare  shells  strung,  value  28.  6d.  a  cubit. 
Blaffert,  Cologne,  a  small  coin. 
Blamuser,  Westphalia,  money  of  account. 
Blanc,  French,  a  silver  coin,  value  4d. 

The  Ecu  Blanc,  the  French  crown  piece. 
Blanca,  Spanish,  money  of  account  in  Malaga 


N'umismatie  Dictionary.  83 

Blank,   EnfjUsh   Billon.      The   Gros    Blanc,  Anglo-Gallic,    temp. 

Henry  VI. 
Blanquille,  Bavbary,  Silver,  value  21^. 

BoDLE,  Scots,  Copper,  the  half  Plack.  "From  Bothwell,  mint  master. 
BoHMEN,  or  Bohemian,  Prague,  Silver,  value  3  Kreutzers. 
Boliviano,  the  new  peso  or  dollar  of  Bolivia,  equal  to  five  francs. 
BoLOGNiNO,  Luccese,  Billon,  value  Id.     Also  at  Bologna. 
Bon-Gros,  Hesse-Cassel,  Silver,  value  2d. 
Bonnet-Piece,  Scots,  Gold,  temp.  K.  James  I.  from  the  Cap  then 

worn. 
Borage  Groat,  Scots,  Silver,  1467,  value  12d.     Qu,  From  Borax 

used  in  it. 
BoRBi,  Egyptian,  Copper,  value  3  aspers.     Qu,  Burbi,  see  Bourbe. 
Bordhalfpenny,  paid  for  a  stall  in  a  market. 
BoRJOOKES,  Abyssinian,  glass  beads,  current  for  small  money. 
Bos,  the  Greek  Didrachm,  Silver,  bearing  an  ox. 
Boutteteen,  Tripoli,  Silver  =  to  30  paras. 
Bovella,  Persian,  Silver,  value  16s. 
BuNTAGUi,  Morocco,  gold,  equal  to  about  $2  00. 
Bouges,  African,  cowries  are  so  called. 
BouHAMSTASH,  Tripoli,  =15  paras, 

Bourbe,  Barbary,  money  of  account  at  Tunis,  value  half  asper. 
BousEBBATASH,  Tripoli,  ^=1\  paras. 
Brabant,  English,  Base  coin,  temp.  K.  Edward  I. 
Brabant  Krone,  Austrian,  Silver,  value  4s.  6d.,  2g.  15k. 
Bractiate,  Roman,  and  other  coins,  impressed  on  one  side  only,  from 

Bractia,  a  spangle. 
Broad  Piece,   English,    Gold,   value   20s.     The   Unit,   temp.    K. 

James  I. 
BtTDGERooK,  Hindostau,  money  of  account  on  the  Malabar  coast,  6 

to  a  Pice. 
Bugne,  Silver  Coin,  current  in  Loraine  about  a.  d.  1511.     Struck  in 

Metz. 
Buispernal,  Silver  Coin,  current  in  Loraine  about  A.  d.  1511, 
Bushe,  Aix-la-Chapelle,  Copper,  value  4  Hellers. 
BussoRA,  Crux,  Turkish,  Silver,  value  16d. 


Cabesquis,  Persian,  Silver,  value  Id.     Casbesquis,  Kasbequis. 

Cacao,  Mexico,  Grains  current,  100  to  a  Medio,  3id. 

Cagliaresco,  Sardinian,  Copper,  value  6  to  Soldi. 

Cahaun,  Bengal,  Silver,  value  V^d.     Cahuse,  a  quarter  Rupee. 

Calderilla,  Spanish,  Copper,  the  Cuarto,  value  4  Maravedis. 

Candarine,  Chinese,  money  of  account.     100  to  a  Tael,  value  \di. 

Canteroy,  Hindostau,  the  Sultany  Fanam,  so  called  in  the  Mysore. 

Capellone,  Modena,  Silver,  value  3d. 

Carat,  Arabian,  a  small  coin  of  very  base  silver  at  Mocha. 

The   carat   weight   for   gold,   named   from   the    red    bean   of 
Abyssinia,  the  fruit  of  the  Kuara.     4  grains. 


84  Numismatic  Dictionary. 

Cakagronch,  Mod.  Greece,  Silver,  value  5s. 

Cardecu,  French,  Silver,  the  quart  D'Ecu,  so  called  in  England. 

Carival,  Bombay,  valued  12  Pice. 

Carl  D'Or,  Brunswick,  Gold,  value  16s.  4d. 

Carlixo,  Sardinian,  Gold,  value  £1  18s.  lOd. 

Carlino,  Italian,  Silver,  value  5d.     Coined  first  in  1490,  by  King 
Charles  \T^II.  of  France. 

Carlo,  Lombardy,  Silver,  value  5s. 

Caroba,  Barbary.     A  coin  of  Tunis. 

Carolix,  new  Gold  coin  of  Sweden,  equal  to  ten  francs. 

CAROLiiir  D'Or,  Bavarian,  Gold,  value  £1  Os.  8d. 

Caroline,  Swedish,  Silver,  value  Is.  6d. 

Carolus,   English,    Gold,   value    23s.     The   Laureat,   temp.    King 
Charles  II.     Carube  money  of  account  in  Algiers. 

Cash,  Chinese,  Brass,  coins  for  stringing,  cast,  1000  Cash,  100  Can- 
daiines,  10  Mace  =1  Tael.     See  Tseen. 

Castillon,  Spanish,  Gold,   probably   from   bearing   the   arms   of 
Castile. 

Castellano,  Spanish,  Gold,  the  ancient  coin. 

Cataa  Hamsee,  Modern  Egypt,  gold  =  5  piastres.     25. 

Cati,  Chinese,  value,  16  T.-iels,  or  £5  6s,  8d.     Also  Catty. 

Cavalier,  Swedish,  Silver. 

Cavallo,  Sardinian,  Billcon,     Cavalli  and  Cavalluci,  Naples. 

Cayallotto,  Genoese,  Billon,  value  2d. 

Cateer,  Arabian,  money  of  account  at  Mocha.     40  to  a  Dollar. 
Cabeer  or  Carear,  value  l|-d. 

Cent,  Dutch,  Copper,  100  to  a  Guilder. 

Cent,  American,  Copper,  100  to  a  Dollar. 

Centime,  French,  Copper,  100  to  a  Franc;    also  in  Belgium  and 
Ionian  Islands. 

Cententionalis,  Roman,  a  silver  coin  issued  by  Constantino  the 
Great,  weight  about  50  grains. 

Centesimo,  Italian,  Copper.     Lombardy,  value   one-twelfth   of   a 
penny,  100  to  a  Lira. 

Centessimo,  Copper,  Uruguay. 

Centussis,  Roman,  100  As,  value  in  account  40  Sesterces  lODeniers, 
or  6s.  3d, 

Chaise,  Anglo-Gallic,  Gold,  temp,  K,  Edward  III. 

The  French  Coin  of  Philip  le  Bel,  the  Royal  Dur,  hard  coin. 

CiiALCUS,  Greek,  Brass,     The  earliest  of  that  metal,     431  b.  o. 

Challies,  Ceylon,  Copper,  value  4  to  a  farthing.     From  Chally,  Cop- 
per. 

Chappee,  East  Indies,  Silver.     The  Rupee,  when  marked  or  chop- 
ped. 

Chate,  Persian,  Silver.     The  Shaki,  value  6d. 
•  Cheda,  Tartary,  Tin. 

Chego,  Portuguese,  a  weight  for  gold,  4  carats. 

CiiELON,  Polish,  Billon. 

CiiEQUiN,  Turkish,  Gold,  value  9s.  6d. 

CiiERASis,  Persian,  Gold,  various  value.    The  Tela,  a  medaL 


Numismatic  Dictionary.  85 

Chid  A,  Hindu,  Tin,  Avhen  round,  value  id.,  but  if  octagonal,  value  2d. 
Chih  Tsih,  Chinese,  a  peculiar  coin,  struck  by  Woo  Te  of  the  HAif 

dynasty. 
Choustack,  Polish,  Billon,  value  2d. 
Christian-,  Danish,  Gold,  value  16s.  5d. 
Christine,  Swedish,  Silver,  value  Is.  2d. 
Chrysus,  Greek,  Gold,  equivalent  to  the  Stater. 
Cinq  Francs,  French,  Silver,  value  nearly  4s. 
CiNQuiNO,  Neapolitan. 
Cistophorus,  Greek,  Silver,  bearing  the  Cista,  or  Chest,  of  Bacchus. 

Ancient  Cistophori,  of  cities  in  Asia.     Tri-dracbms. 
Claco,  Mexican.     Elaco. 
Cloth,  Abyssinia,     Blue  Surat  cloth,  a  cubit  in  length,  folded  in  a 

three-cornered  packet,  value  half  a  dollar.     See  Wadmal. 
Coal  Money,  British,  found  at  Kimmeridge,  coast  of  Dorsetshire ; 

it  is  not  quite  proven  that  this  was  money. 
Cob,  rough  Silver  pieces  made  in  Mexico  and  South  America,  before 

the  introduction  of  machinery.  ^ 

CocKiEN,  Japanese,  value  £10. 
Coins,  probably  originally  tokens  given  at  Temples.     The  earliest 

are  of  religious  character  in  their  devices. 
Colonato,  Spanish,  Silver  ;  the  Pillar  Dollar  is  so  called. 
Colonial  Coins,  Greek  money  struck  for  the  Roman  Colonies ;  also 

English,  struck  for  Canada,  the  Indies,  etc. 
Cologne,  the  Mark  of.  Weight,  the  Standard  of  Germany,  8  oz.  Troy. 
CoMMASSEE,  Arabian,  Copper,  but  contains  a  little  silver.     60  to  a 

dollar  at  Mocha. 
Condor,  Chili,  Gold,  10  Pesos,  value  £1  17s.  3d. 
Condorin,  Japanese,  Copper,  value  f d. 
Constitution  Coins,  Germany,  about  1738. 

Consular  Coins,  Roman,  Silver,  Denarii  struck  under  the  Govern- 
ment of  Consuls.     Family  Medals. 
CoNTO,  Portuguese,  computation.     1000  Millreis. 
Contorniati,  Roman,  Tickets,  not  current. 
Convention  Coins,  German,  about  1763,  also  1848. 
CoPFSTuCK,  Austrian,  Silver,  value  9d.,  20  Kreutzers.     Copstick. 
CoPANG,   Japanese,    Gold,    value  £2  4s.    2d.     Also  Silver,   4s.   6d. 

Qu.  Cubans. 
Cornado,  Spanish,  Copper,  value  small.     "  No  vale  un  Cornado," 

is,  "  not  worth  a  farthing." 
Coronilla,  Spanish,  Gold.     Vientin  D'Oro,  value  20  Reals. 
CouRONNES  Du  SoLEiL,  French,  Gold,  1546,  current  in  England,  as 

Crowns  of  the  Sun,  temp.  K.  Edward  VI. 
Cowries,  Bengal  and  Africa,  small  shells  from  the  Maldives. 
Coz,  Persian,  Copper,  value  10  to  a  Shaki.     Coz  Bagues. 
Crazia,  Tuscan,  value  fd.     An  old  coin. 
Creutzer,  or  Cruitzer.     See  Kreutzer. 

Crimbal,  W.  Indies,  Silver,  value  7^d.     The  Isle  du  Vent.     Bit. 
Croat,  Spanish,  Silver.     The  Gros  D'Argent  of  Arragon,  origin  of 

Enojlish  Groat. 


86  N^umismatic  Dictionary. 

Crocard,  English,  Base  coin,  temp.  K.  Edwai-d  I. 

Cbociato,  Genoese,  Silver,  named  from  the  arms.      The  Croisat, 

value  4s.  4d.  • 

Croon,  Plemish,  Silver. 

Crore,  Bengal  computation,  100  Lacs,  or  10  million  Rupees. 
Cross,  all  money   bearing  a  ci'oss.     The  Cross  Dollar,  of  Spain, 

bears  the  Burgundy  cross. 
Crown,   English,  "Gold,   temp.  K.  Henry   VIII.      Crowns   of  the 

double  rose.  Thistle  Crowns. 
Crown,  English,  Silver,  temp.  K.  Edward  VI.,  value  5s. 
Cbuche,  Swiss,  Billon,  value  ^d. 
Crusado,  Portuguese,  Gold  and  Silver,  various  value,  the  Crusado 

Novo,  Silver,  value  2s.  2d. 
Cu,  thin  Brass,  bearing  a  shield  ;  the  Ecu,  half-farthing. 
CuARTA,  Spanish,  Copper,  value  4  Maravedis,  the  Calderilla. 
CuFic  Coins,  Arabian,  named  from  Kufa,  on  the  Euphrates. 
CuNETTi  Coins,  Anglo-Saxon,  Silver.     Pennies  struck  at  Cunetium, 

Marlborough. 
Cut  Money,  Brazilian,  Silver.     Plata  Macuquina. 
CzARSONiTCH,  Russiau,  Gold,  value  9s.  3d. 


Daelder,  Dutch,  Silver,  value  2s.  6d. 

Daezajie,  Persian,  Silver,  value  5s. 

Dahab,  Abyssinian,  Silver.     See  Harf. 

Dalek,  Swedish,  the  Silver,  in  Silfermynt;  the  Copper,  Koppar- 

mynt. 
Daler  Rix,  value  3s.  8d.     See  Dollar. 
Dama,  Hindu,  Copper.     Nepaul, 
Danajo,  Lombardy,   Copper;  or  Danajnolo,  the  smallest  mouey. 

Danaro. 
Dandy  Prat,  English,  Silver,  temp.  K.  Henry  VII.  dwarf  coin. 
Dane  Money,  Roman  Coins  found  in  Northamptonshire,  so  called. 
Danim,  Arabian,  current  at  Bussora,  value  ^d. 
Daric,  Persian,  Gold,  named  from  Darius.     Greek  Darics. 
Dkcadrachm,  Attic,  Silver,  equivalent  to  the  Demi-stater  of  Gold, 
Decime,  French,  Copper,  value  Id.,  the  tenth  of  a  Franc. 
Decimo,  La  Plata,  Copper,  value  4d.,  the  ttnth  of  a  Medio. 
Dbcuplo,  Sicilian,  Gold. 

Decussis,  Roman,  Silver,  marked  X.     10  Asses,  same  as  Denarius. 
Denaixg,  Russian,  Copper.     Copecs  or  Pence. 
Denar,  Silesia,  Copper,  the  Pfening  of  Breslau. 
Denarius,  Roman,  Silver,  marked  X.     Denos  JEres,  value  8d.  ;  it 

was  lowered  both  in  weight  and  value. 
Denarius,  Anglo-Saxon,  as  Denarii  S.  Petri,  the  Peter  Pence,  a 

golden  Denarius,  temp.  K.  Henry  HI. 
Denabo,  Italian,  money  of  account,  value,  one  24th  of  a  penny. 
Denga,   Russian,   Copper,   the    half  Copec.      Also   Dengop    and 

Denushka. 


.Numismatic  Dictionary.  b7 

Demy,  Scots,  Gold,  like  the  English  half  noble.     There  are  Demi- 
Pistoles,  Louis,  and  Sequins  in  Gold. 
"^  Denier,  French,  Copper,  the  twelfth  part  of  a  Sou.     Also  Swiss,  the 

Deniers  d' Argent,  ancient  coins;  also  the  Deniers  D'Or;  the 

Double  Denier,  Anglo-Gallic,  both  of  Silver,  and  Billon. 
Denier  de  Gros,  Flemish, the  Groote,  or  Penny. 
DENUsHKA,>Russian,  Copper,  the  half  Copec. 
Derhem  Segar,  Barbary,  Copper. 
Derlixgue,  Venetian,  Silver,  half  the  Scudo. 

Devil's  Head  Money,  Chinese,  Silver.     Spanish  Dollars,  so  called. 
DicHALCos,  Greek,  Silver,  the  smallest  coin. 
Dickens,  Swiss,  Silver. 

DiDRACHM,  Attic  Silver,  the  Stater  Aureus,  or  Philippus. 
DiKOLLYBON,  Greek,  Copper. 

Dime,  American,  Silver,  value,  the  tenth  of  a  Dollar,  5d. 
Dinar,  Arabian,  Gold,  value,  8s.     Denar. 
DiNERO,  Spanish,  money  of  account.     "  Tener  dinero,"  to  be  rich. 

DixERAL  and  Dixerada,  a  large  sum  of  money. 
DlNERUELO,  Spanish,  Copper,  current  in  Aragon. 
DiOBOLUS,  Attic  Silver,  division  of  the  Pentobolus. 
DiRfiEM,  Arabian,  Silver. 
Ditto  Bolo,  Ionian  Islands,  Copper. 
DiWANi,  Abyssinian  money. 

DoBRAO,  Portuguese,  Gold,  value,  £6  14s.,  the  Dobra. 
DoBLON,  or  Doubloon,  Spanish,  Gold,  value,  5  Dollars;  theDoblona 

de  Acuatra,  and  De  Ocho,  are  value,  8  and  16  Dollars. 
DoBLON,  Mexican,  the  gold  onza,  value,  £3  4s. 
DoDEE,  Bengal,  Copper,  the  half  Pice.     Doudou.     Dudu. 
DoDKiN,  English,  Copper,  the  small  Duyt,  once  current. 
DoDRANS,  Roman,  piece  of  nine  unciae,  copper. 
Dog,  W.  Indies,  Copper,  value,  3d.     The  half  Dog,  value,  Hd. 
Doit,  Ilindostan,  Copper,  120  to  a  Rupee. 
Dollar,  Spanish,   Silver,  the  Peso  Duro,  the  Piastre,  or  Piece  of 

Eight,  an  ounce,  value,  4s.  3d. 
DoLLAii,   American,  Silver,  value,  4s.    l^d.,   10  Dimes,   100  Cents, 

1000  Mills. 
Specie  Doixar,  Norwegian,  value,  4s.  6d. 
Dollar,  Swedish,  Copper.     In  1679,  square,  the  legend  and  date 

in  a    circle,  a  crown  in  the  corners.     The  Double  Dollar  is  9 

inches  square. 
DooGANEY,  Bombay,  Copper,  a  Pice. 
DoppiA,  Papal,  Gold,  value,  13s. 
DoppiETTA,  Sardinian,  Gold. 
Doppio,  MoDEA,  Portuguese,  Gold,  value,  £2    14s.      The  Double 

Pistole. 
DoREA,  Bombay,  Copper,  value,  a  flirthing. 
Dorm  Pennies,  Roman  coins,  found  in  Dorsetshire,  so  called. 
Dos  Reales,  Mexican,  Silver,  value.  Is.     2  Reals. 
DouBLA,  Barbary,  value  4s.  6d.     80  aspers. 
Double,  French,  Copper,  value,  2  Deniers,  the  Double  Denier. 


88  2^umismatic  Dictionary. 

Double,  Guernsey,  Copper,  value,  half  farthing. 

Double  Crown,  English,  Gold,  1604,  value,  10s. 

Double  Ducat,  various.  Gold,  value,  1 8s.  8d. 

DouzAix,  French,  Copper,  value,  12  Deniers,  the  Sous. 

Drachm,  Greek,  Silver,  value,  8d.,  literally  a  handful,  6  oboles. 

Drachm,  Jewish,  Silver,  the  half  Shekel,  so  called  by  the  Greeks. 

Drachma,  Modern  Greek,  value,  100  Lepta. 

Dreyer,  Silesian,  Copper,  the  half  Kreutzer  of  Breslau. 

Dreyling,  Danish,  Copper,  the  quarter  Skilling. 

Drittel,  MecklenburgJi,  Silver,  value,  Is.,  one  third  of  Rix  Dollar. 

DuBBEL,  Batavia,  money  of  account. 

DuBBELTJE,  Dutch,  Coppcr,  value,  2  Stivers. 

Dubs,  Hindu,  Copper.     See  Dudee,  or  Dodee. 

Ducat,  various,  the  coin  of  a  Dukedom,  first  coined  at  Venice,  Gold, 

value,  9s.  4d.,  Silver,  3s.  5d. 
DucATELLo,  Venetian,  Silver. 

DucATO  Di  Banco,  Neapolitan,  Silver,  value,  5  Tarins,  3s.  6d. 
DucATONE,  Flemish,  Silver,  the  crown ;  value,  5s.  3d.   also,  in  Parma, 

the  Scudo,  value,  4s.  3d. 
Duetto,  Italian,  Billon,  2  quattrini. 

DuMAREE,  Hindu,  Copper,  12  to  a  Pice,  on  the  Malabar  coast. 
DuPONDius,  Roman,  Brass,  the  double  As. 
DuTGEX,  Dantzic,  Silver,  value,  3  Groschen. 
DuRO,  Spanish,  Silver,  the  hard  Dollar,  the  Cob. 
DuYT,  Dutch,  Copper,  the  eighth  of  a  stiver.     Doit. 
Dyng,  Burraab,  Silver  as  above.     Worth  about  5  per  cent,  more  than 

Huetnee.     Exceedingly  pure. 


Eagle,  English,  Silver,  base  coin,  temp.  K.  Edward  I. 

Eagle,  American,  Gold,  value,  10  Dollars,  £2  Is. 

Ecu,  Anglo-Gallic,  Gold,  temp.  K.  Edward  HI.     The  chaise. 

Ecu,  French,  Silver,  the  Crown,  the  Ecu  Blanc,  and  Gros  Ecu. 

Ebboeer,  Danish,  Silver,  value,  14  Skillings.     The  Justus  Judex. 

Effective,  money  in  Spain  and  Portugal,  so  called. 

Egistaler,  Hungarian,  Silver,  the  Dollar. 

Electrum,  coins  in  metal,  pai-tly  Silver  and  partly  Gold. 

EscA,  a  Gold  coin,  current  in  Lorraine  about  A.  D.  1511. 

EscALix,  Netherlands,  base  silver ;  and  name  for  the  Bit,  in  West 
Indies. 

EscALix,  Liege,  Silver,  value,  lOd.  and  money  of  account  in  Basle. 

EscuDO,  Spain,  Gold,  value,  8s. 

EsTERLiNG,  English,  Silver,  the  Anglo-Norman  penny,  whence  Ster- 
ling. 


Faloo,  Madras,  Copper,  value,  5  Cash. 

Family  Coins,  Roman,  Silver.     Denarii  struck  under  Consuls. 


Numismatic  Dictionary.  89 

Fanam,  Hindu,  Silver,  value,  l^d.     Fanon  and  Fano.     There  is 
.Fanam,  Indian,  Gold,  with  alloy,  on  the  ]\Ialabar  coast,  value,  6d. 
Fakdo,  Indian,  Silver,  value,  2s.  9d.     Qu.  Pardo. 
Farthing,  English,    Copper,    1672;    some    previously   of    pewter, 

tokens,  value,  960  to  the  £1. 
Faruki,  Hindu,  Gold,  the  quarter  Mohur. 

Federal  Money,  American  and  Federation  money,  German,  1838. 
Feldklippe,  Netherlands,  Silver,  a  siege  piece  of  William,  Duke  of 

Julich,  1543. 
Felour,  Barbary,  Copper,  value,  a  farthing. 
Fels,  a  small  Copper  coin.     Persian  pul.     Arabic  /els,  said  to  be 

the  same  as  the  Turkish  3fangur. 
Fexim,  Swiss,  money  of  account. 
Fettmangen,  Flemish,  money  of  account  at  Cleves. 
Feorthung,  Anglo-Saxon,   Silver,  literally  a  fraction,  the  fourth 

part  of  a  penny,  hence  derived  farthing. 
Ferding,  Russian,  Silver.     Money  of  account  at  Libau. 
FiLLipo,  Italian,  Silver.     Milan,  value,  4s.  lid. 

FiORiNO,  Tuscan,  Gold,  named  from  the  Fleur-de-Lis,  arms  of  Flor- 
ence, value,  Is.  lid. 
FiscA,  Canary  Isles,  Silver. 

Five  Pound  Piece,  English,  Gold,  various  I'eigns. 
Flinderke,  Hanoverian,  money  of  account  at  Emden. 
Flinrich,  Bremen,  money  of  account. 
Flitter,  Brunswick,  Copper,  small,  literally,  a  spangle. 
Floose,  Arabian,  value,  one  twentieth  of  a  penny,  money  of  account 

at  Bussorah,  and  in  Barbary. 
Fluce,  Flouche. 
Floren,  Flemish,  Silver,  value,  Is.  8d.,  the  Guilder. 
Florin,  English,  Gold,  temp.  K.    Edward  III.     The   gold    florm, 

struck  by  German  States. 
Florin,  English,  Silver,  1849,  a  tenth  of  the  Pound. 
Florin,  Polish,  Silver,  value,  6d.     The  Zlot. 
FoANG,  Siamese,  Silver.     Fuang,  Fouang. 
Follis,  Roman,  Brass,  weight,  |^oz. 
FoNDucLi,  Turkish,  Gold,  value,  7s.  6d. 
FoRLi,  Egyptian,  Copper. 

Forty  Pence.    Ten  groats  was  a  fee  for  a  Lawyer,  or  Priest. 
Four  Angel  Piece,  Scots,  Gold,  temp.  K.  James  IV. 
Franc,  French,  Silver,    value,  9|-d.     The    unit    also    of  Belgium, 

Switzerland,  and  Sardinia. 
Franciscone,  Tuscan,  Silver,  value,  4s.  4d. 
Frankbn,  Swiss,  old  money  of  account,  value,  Is.  2:^d. 
Frederick  D'Or,  Prussian,  Gold,  value,  16s.  6d. 
FuDDAH,  Egyptian,  Silver.     The  Para. 
Fuddea,  Bombay,  Copper.     The  double  Pice,  Id. 
FuNDUK,  Turkish,  Gold,  weight  about  52  grs. 
Fyrke,  Danish,  Copper. 


90  Numismatic  Dictionary. 

Gall,  Cochin  China,  Silver,  vahie,  4d. 

Gassa,  Persian,     20  to  a  Mamoodi. 

Gaki,  Hindu.     About  4000  Rupees. 

Gaz,  Turkish,  Silver.     The  Para. 

Gazzetta,  Venetian,  Copper,  value,  |^d. 

Genovixo,  Genoese,  Silver,  value,  4s.  4d.     The  Scudo. 

Genovino,  Genoese,  Gold,  value,  £3  2s.  8d.,  96  Lire,  Genovino. 

Genevoise,  Geneva,  Silver. 

George  D'Or,  Hanoverian,  value,  ]6s.  3d. 

Georgino,  Modena,  Silver,  value,  2|d. 

Gerah,  Jewish,  Silver,  the  smallest  money,  20th  of  a  shekel. 

Gherish,  Turkish,  Billon,  also  called  Piastre. 

GiGLiATO,  Tuscan,  Gold.     The  Zequin. 

GiDLio,  Papal,  Silver,  value,  6d.,  as  the  Paulo,  and  Leono. 

GiusTiTSTA,  Venetian. 

GiusTiNiANO,  Venetian,  Silver. 

GoESGEN,  Hanoverian,  money  of  account. 

GoLCHUTS,    Chinese,    Gold,    in    canoe-shaped    ingots.     The    Dutch 

name. 
Gold  Dust,  Africa,  current  in  Tibbar,  in  the  central  part. 
Gold  Lumps,  Ashantee,  current. 
Gold  Penny,  English,  temp.  K.  Henry  HL 
Gourds,  Spanish  and  American  Dollars,  are  so  called  in  the  West 

Indies. 
Goz,  Arabian. 
Grain,  Troy  weight,  the  smallest,  24  to  a  pennyweight ;  the  fourth 

of  a  Siliqua,  or  Carat. 
Grano,  Maltese,  Copper.     Also  Neapolitan.     Value,  one  third  of  a 

penny. 
Griscio,  Egyptian,  Silver,  value,  Is.  6d.,  30  medini. 
Griwna,  Russian,  Silver,  value,  10  copecs,  3id.     Grieve,  Grieven. 
Groat,  English,  Silver,  from    temp.    K.    Edward    IH.     Grossum, 

Greater.     Croat,  Gros. 

Broadfaced  groats.  Rex  groats,  Dominus    groats,  and  Cross 

Key  groats,  as  well  as  White  groats,  so  base  that  a  shilling  is 

worth  nine  of  them. 
Groot,  Dutch,  Copper,  value,  |d. 
Gros,  Flemish,  Silver. 

Gros,  Anglo-Gallic,  Billon.     Also  Gros  Blano. 
Gros  Ecu,  Geneva,  Silver,  value,  4s.  8d. 
Grosciien,  Prussian,  Billon,  value,  30  to  a  Thaler,  l|d.     Also  Rua 

sian  and  Polish. 
Grossetto,  Venetian,  money  of  account. 
Grosso,  Luccese,  Billon,  value,  3d.     Mezzo-Grosso,  l4-d. 
Grote,  Bremen,  value,  ^d.,  96  Grotes  to  a  Specie  Rix  Dollar,  also- 

Flemish,  12  to  a  sliilling.« 
Grouch,  Turkish,  Silver,  the  Piastre.     Guerche,  Goorooch. 
Groupe,  Turkish,  computation.     A  bag  of  money. 
Grueso,  Spanislt,  money  of  account  at  Navarre.  • 

GuBBER,  Bengal,  Gold,  the  Dutch  Ducat,  so  called.     The  Sequin 


Numismatic  Dictionary.  91 

GuiENNOis,  Anglo-Gallic,  Gold,  temp.  K.  Edward  III. 

Guinea,    English,  Gold,    1662,   value,   20s.,    afterward    21s.     First 

struck  in  gold  from  the  Guinea  coast. 
Guilder,  Flemish,  Silver,  value.  Is.  8d.     The  Gulden. 
GuiLLOT,  Brabant,  Copper,  one  sixth  of  a  Sou. 
Gulden,  Germany,  Silver,  value,  Is.  8d.     60  Kreutzers,  Austrian, 

Silver  Gulden,  2s.,  Florin. 
GuNDA,  Bengal,  value,  4  cowries. 

Gun  Money,  Irish,  Brass,  temp.  K.  James  II.     Made  from  cannon. 
Gut  Grosche,  Prussian,  Hanoverian,  24  to  a  Thaler. 


Half-Penny,  English,  Silver,  from  temp.  K.  Edward  I.  Also  Cop- 
per, from  temp.  King  Charles  II. 

Hard  Head,  Scots,  Billon,  value,  1|,  the  Hardie. 

Hardi,  French,  Copper,  1270,  the  Liard  of  Philip  le  Hardi. 

Hardie,  English,  Billon,  temp.  K.  Edward  III. 

Hardit,  Anglo-Gallic,  Gold,  temp.  K.  Richard  II.  Double  and  Half 
Hardits. 

Harf,  African.     Qu.  HaraiF.     The  Dahal. 

Harper,  Irish,  Silver,  value,  9d.     A  familiar  terra. 

Haser  Denarie,  Persian,  Silver.     Huza  Deenar. 

Hasshahshah,  African,  Iron,  anchor  shaped.     Hashia. 

Hectae,  or  Hektale,  Greek,  Gold,  \  of  the  Stater  and  divisions, 
small  as  the  -^^  of  the  Hectae. 

Heideri,  Silver,  Double  Rupee  of  Mysore. 

Helfling,  Anglo-Saxon,  Silver.     The  Halfpenny. 

Heller,  German,  Copper.  4  Hellers — 1  Kreutzer,  60  Kreutzers —  1 
Gulden. 

Hemiohrysus,  Greek,  Gold,  equivalent  to  half  Stater. 

Hejii-drachm,  Greek,  Gold,  value,  6  silver  Drachmae,  3s.  9d. 

Hemi-obolus,  Attic,  Silver,  one-half  of  tlie  Obolus. 

Hemi-obolus,  Greek,  Silver,  the  half  Obolus,  one  twelfth  of  a 
Drachm.     Hemi  Drachm,  or  Triobolum. 

Hemi-stater,  Greek,  Gold,  one-half  of  the  Stater. 

Hog,  Irish,  Silver,  the  English  Shilling,  so  called. 

Hogs  Pence,  Roman  coins,  found  in  Leicestershire,  so  called  as 
turned  up  by  swine. 

HooN,  Madras,  Silver.     The  Pagoda. 

Horse,  Danisl),  Silver,  value.  Is.  2d. 

HuET-NEE,  Burmah — or  translated  "flower  silver" — paid  out  by 
weight  and  quality,  for  trade  purposes,  and  worth  about  15 
per  cent  more  than  the  rupee  silver  of  Hindustan. 

HuiTiEAiE,  Genoese,  Gold,  value,  8s.  4d. 

HuNA,  Plindu,  money  of  account  on  the  Malabar  coast.     Qu.  Anna. 

HuZAR  Deenar,  Persian,  Gold.     Haser  Denarie. 


Ikilik,  Turkish,  Silver,  equal  to  two  piastres. 
Imani,  small  Silver  coin  of  Mysore. 


92  ITumismatic  Dictionary. 

Imperial,  Russian,  Gold,  10  Rubles,  value,  £1  12s.  7d.,  also  Flemish, 

Gold,  value,  lis.  3d. 
Independent  Dollar,  Chili,  1817,  Silver. 
Indermille,  Hindu,  Silver,  value,  lOd.     Nepaul. 
Infortiati,  Roman,  Senatorian  coins  of  the  12th  and  13th  centuries. 
Ingot,   Japan  and  Burman  Empire,  current,  unwrought,  both  of 

Gold  and  Silver. 
Ingot,  a  few  were  issued  by  the  Bank  of  England  on  resuming  cash 

payments,  in  1816. 
Ingot,  a    thin  bar  of  Gold  or  Silver,  to  be  rolled  and  made  into 

coin  ;  sometimes  applied  to  small  commercial  bars. 
Iron,  Angola,  now  current,  in  bars.     Also  Lacedamonian  money. 
Itagannes,  Japan,  Silver,  in  lumps. 

Itzib,  Japan,  Gold,  value,  8s.  9d.     Bean  shaped.     Itjib,  Itchebo. 
Izelotte,  German,  Silver,  value,  2s.  9d. 


Jacobus,  English,  Gold,  value,  25s.  temp.  K.  James  L 

Jafari,  small  Silver  coin  of  Mysore. 

Jaghirb,  Hindu. 

Jaku,  Jewish,  Gold. 

Jane,  English,  Billon.     Coins  brought  from  Genoa.  ^ 

J  ETON,  Flemish,  Brass,  counter,  from  Jeter,  to  cast. 

Jettal,  Hindu,  Copper,  on  Malabar  coast.     Settle.     Jetul. 

JLlaleh,  Silver    coin,  square  form.     Mogul  dynasty,  equal  to  the 

Rupee  in  value. 
JoANESE,  Portuguese,  Gold,  value,  £3  lis.  2d.     Commonly  termed 

the  Joe. 
Julio,  the  Papal,  and  Justiniano,  the  Venetian,  Silver  coins.     See  G. 
JusTiNiANO,  Venetian,  Silver,  value,  4s.  lid. 
Jux,  Turkish,  100,000  Aspers.     Juck. 


Kabean,  Tavoy  Hindostan,  Copper,  value,  a  farthing.     40  Kabeans 

=  1  Rupee. 
Kaieie  Bashireh,  Modern  Egypt,  Gold=10  piastres.     48. 
Kairie  Hashreen,  Modern  Egypt,  Gold=20  piastres.     1.01, 
Kaiser  Grosche,  Boliemian,  Silver,  value,  \\d. 
Kaltis,  Lydian,  Gold. 
Kapang,  Sumatra,  Copper,  small. 
Katib,  Copper,  one-eightli  of  the  Pice  of  Mysore. 
Kasbekt,  or  Kasbegi,  Persian,  Copper  coin. 
Kazmi,  small  Silver  coin  of  Mysore. 

Kazneii,  Egyptian,  a  Treasury  of  1000  Purses,  value  £5,000. 
Kees,  Egyptian,  a  Purse  of  500  Piastres,  £5. 
Kefer,  Turkish. 
Keeping,  Sumatra. 
Kesitah,  Canaanite,  Silver,  bearing  a  lamb. 


Numismatic  Dictionary.  93 

Khetreeteh,  Egyptian,  Gold,  value.  Is.  9d. 

Khodabaxdi,  Persian,  Silver,  value  about  7d.  stlg. 

KiBEAR,  Abyssinian. 

KiN-TAO-TSiEN,  Chinese,  knife-money. 

KiTZE,  Turkish,  Gold.     A  Bag-,  value,  30,000  Piastres. 

KizRi,  very  small  Silver  coin  of  Mysore. 

Klippinge,  Danish,  Silver. 

KoBANG,  Japanese,  Gold,  value,  27s.  4d. ;  it  varies. 

KoDAMA,  Japanese,  Silver,  a  globular  lump  bearing  characters. 

Kola,  nut,  Africa.     Current  on  the  Western  Coast. 

KoMPOw,  Chinese,  Linen,  current  in  the  Philipj^ine  Isles. 

KoLLYBOX,  Greek,  Copper. 

Kopek,  Russian,  Copper,   also  Copeck  and  Kopaika,  value,  three 

eighths  of  a  penny. 
KoPT,  Bohemian,  money  of  account. 
KoPFSTucK,  Austrian,  Silver.     20  Kreutzers. 
KoPFSTUCK,  Bavarian,  Silver,  value  about  16  cents. 
KoROOMS,  Persian,  Silver.     Keran.     Kran. 
KoRSHuiDE,  Danish,  Silver. 

Kran,  Arabian,  also  Karaun,  500  equal  to  10,000  Piastres. 
Kreutzer,  Austrian,  Copper,  value,  one    third  of  a  penny,  from 

Kreutz,  Cross.     See  Heller. 
Kronen  Thaler,  German,  Silver.     The  Brabant  Crown  or  Dollar, 

value,  4s.  5d. 
Kbumsterk,  Hanoverian.     At  Emden. 


Lac,  Bengal  computation,  100,000  Rupees,  etc.     Lakh. 

Land  Muntz,  German,  Billon,  money  circulating  only  in  the  State 

where  coined. 
Large  Brass,  Roman.     The  Sestertius,  value,  about  2d. 
Larin,  Arabian,  Silver,  value,  Is.     Laree.     Persian. 
Laub  Thaler,  Prussian,  Silver.     The  Dollar  with  a  wreath. 
Laureat,  English,  Gold.     Temp.  K.  Jas.  L     Laurel,  value,  20s. 
Laxsan,  Batavian,  money  of  account. 
Leaden   Coins,   Roman.      Nummi   plumbei,   and   current   in   the 

Birman  Empire,  also  Tokens  English. 
Leam,  Chinese,  Silver,  in  Ingots,  each  value,  6s.  8d. 
Leather  Coins,  Roman.     Ases  Scorteos,  and  English  Tokens. 
Leonine,  English,  base  foreign  coin,  temp.  King  Edward  I.,  value,  -Jd. 
Leopard,  Anglo-Gallic,  Gold,  temp.  K.  Edward  III. 
Leopold,  Belgium,  Gold,  value,  19s.  4^d.,  when  issued  25  Francs, 

now  24:^  Francs. 
Leopoldino,  Tuscan,  Silver,  value,  4s.  5d. 

Lepton,  Greek,  Copper,  ancient;  modern  Lepta,  100  to  a  Drachma. 
Liard,  French,  Copper,  value,  3  Deniers. 
Libella,  Roman,  Brass.     The  As  of  diminished  weight. 
Libra  Jaquesa,  Spanish,  value,  3s.  Id.,  money  of  account  in  Arra- 

gon,  and  Balearic  Isles. 


94  Ii^umis?natic  Dictionary/. 

Lion,  Scots,  Gold.     Le  Lion,  an  early  French  coin,  and  Anglo-Gallic 

in  Billon.     Lion  Dollak  is  Dutch. 
Lira,  Italian,  Silver.      Lira   Nouva,  value,   9|d.,  Lira   Austriaca, 

value,  8d. 
LiRAZZA,  Venetian,  Silver,  base,  value.  Is.  3d.,  30  Soldi. 
LisBOxiNE,  Portuguese,  Gold,  value,  25s. 
LivoxixA,  Russian,  old  coin. 
LivoRxiNo,  Tuscan,  Silver,  value,  4s.  4d.,  also  Lantern,  or  Tower 

Dollar. 
LrvRE,  Old  French  computation,  value,  lOd.,  20  sous.     Livre  Tour- 

nois.  a  coin  of  Tours. 
Louis  D'Or,  French,  Gold,  value,  18s.  8d. 
Louis  D'Argent,  French,  Silver,  value,  60  sous. 
LuBs,  the  money  of  Lubeck. 
LucuLLEA,  Roman.     Money  struck  in  Greece  by  Lucullus,  by  order 

of  Sylla. 
LuNGA,  the   currency  of  Leghorn,  as  distinguished   from   that  of 

Floi-ence. 
LusBURGER,  Luxemburg,  Silver  penny,  temp.  K.  Edward  L ;  for- 
bidden in  England,  temp.  Edward  IIL 
Ltang,  Chinese,  monev  of  account. 


Maambe,  Egyptian,  Silver,  value,  2  Piastres,  8d. 

Mace,  Sumatra,  Batavia,  and  China,  value,  8d. 

Macuquina,  Brazilian,  Silver,  the  cut  money,  quinaof  arms  5  shields 

Portugal. 
Macuta,  JPortuguese,  Africa,  Silver,  value,  2fd.,  2000  zimbis  or 

cowries. 
Madonina,  Genoese,  Silver,  value,  Is.  6fd.     The  double  Lira. 
M^RRA,  Anglo-Saxon,  Silver.     The  Bener  penny. 
Mahbub,  Tripoli,  Gold,  value.  Is.  ^d.,  also  Mahboob. 
Mahhboul,  African,  value,  4s.  2d. 

Maile,  English,  Silver,  the  Half  Sterling,  temp.  Henry  IV. 
Maille,  French,  Billon,  base  coin  of  smallest  value. 
Majorina  Pecunia,  Roman,  Brass.     Lower  Empire. 
IVLvLLA,  Spanish,  Copper,  2  Mallas — 1  Denier.     The  smallest  coin  at 

Barcelona. 
Maltier,  German,  Billon,  value,  half  a  Marien  Groschen. 
Mamouda,  Arabian,  Silver,  value,  5^d.,   10  Floose — 1  Etenira,  10 

Danims — 1  Mamouda.     Also  Mamoodi. 
Mancaxza,  Neapolitan,  Gold,  value,  15s.,  4  Ducati. 
Mamcousch,  Arabian,  Gold. 
Mancus,  Anglo-Saxon,  Gold,  value,  30  pence.     From  the  Arabian 

Mancush. 
Maneh,  Jewish,  equal  to  50  or  60  Shekels. 
Mangur,  Greek,  4  to  an  Asper. 
Manilla,  African,  Copper,  current  on  Western  Coast,  also  of  Iron 

and  of  Tin. 


I 


Numismatic  Dictionary.  '      95 

Maijabotin,  Spanish,  Silver.     Arabic  Dirhem. 

Maradoe,  Chinese,  Silver,  value,  600  Cash. 

Maravedi,  Spanish,  Copper,  34  Maravedis— 1   Real,  20  Reals — 1 

Dollar. 
Marc,  Danish,  Silver,  Marc  of  Currency,  value,  4|d.,  specie  Marc, 

value,  Is.  6d.,  Marc  of  Hambro  and  Lubeck,  Is.  6d.      Also  Marc. 
Marc,  Norwegian,  Silver,  specie  Marc,  value,  lO^d.,  24  Skillings. 
Marchetto,  Venetian,  Billon,  value,  ^d.     Marcucci,  the  St.  Mark. 
Marengo,  Lombardy,  Gold,  value,  14s.  7d.     Eridania  1801. 
Marien  GROsciiEy,'  German,  Billon,  value,  f  d.,   36    to    a   Thaler, 

Marien  Gulden,  at  Brunswick. 
Mark,  English   Computation,  13s.  4d.     Mearc,  Anglo-Saxon,  also 

Danish  and  Swedish. 
Mark,  Scots,  Silver,  1581. 

Mark  or  Cologne,  German  weight,  8  oz.  Troy. 
Marque,  Mauritius,  Copper. 
Mas.     Qu.  Mace,  Chinese  and  Indian  Silver,  value,  100  Cash.     The 

Masse,  14  Rupees. 
Masse,   French,    Gold,    1314.     The    Chaise.     From   the   Mace   or 

Scepter. 
Math,  Hindoo.     Money  of  account  at  Rangoon. 
Mattapan,  Venetian,  Silver,  value,  3d.     Coined  at  Cape  Mattapan, 

1203. 
Mattier,  Hanov(  rian,  Silver.     Matthier,  Copper. 
Maundy  Money,  English,  Silver.     The  Silver  Id.,  2d.,  3d.,  and  4d., 

coined  for  Royal  Charity  on  Maundy  Thursday. 
Max  D'Or,  Bavarian,  Gold,  value,  13s.  7d.,  Maximilian,  1-^  Du- 
cats. 
Mayon,  Siamese,  Silver,  the  4th  of  the  tical. 
Medal,  a  term  for  a  coin,  not  struck  for  currency. 
Media  Onzo,  Mexican,  Gold,  value,  £1  12s.     Also  Media  quartade 

Onza. 
Median,  Barbary,  Gold. 
Medino,  Egyptian,  Silver,  the  Para.     The  Turkish  Medin  or  Mei- 

dein. 
Medio  Pesa,  Mexican,  Silver,  value,  2s.  l^d.     The  half  Dollar. 
Medjedeer,  Turkish,  Silver,  value,  3s.  5d.,  20  Piastres. 
Mehrabi,  an  oblong  gold  coin  or  medal  of  the  Mogul  Dynasty  of 

Hindustan,  about  6dwt.  22grs.  Aveight. 
Meissner  Gulden,  Saxony.     Money  of  account  at  Leipsic. 
Menian,  garbary.  Silver,  value,  2s.  Vd.,  50  Aspers. 
Merau,  French,  Lead.     A  Token  at  Religious  festivals. 
Merigal,  Barbary,  Gold,  value,  IBs. 
Merk,  Scots,  Silver,  value.  Is.  Id. 
Mess  Valuta,  Tyrol,  money  of  account  at  Bolsano. 
Metical,  Barbary,  Gold,  value  various. 
Metalline,  Roman,  Copper  washed  with  Silver,  so  called. 
Mezzo  Scudo,  Lucca,  Silver,  half  Scudo. 
Middle  Brass,  Roman.     Size  of  Semis. 
Mil,  proposed  name  for  the  thousandth  part  of  the  Pound. 


90  Numismatic  Dictionary. 

Mill,  United  States,  money  of  account.     1000  to  a  Dollar. 

MiLLiAREXSis,  Silver  of  Constantine  the  Great,  equal  to  2\  follis. 

MiLREA,  Portuguese,  Gold,  value,  4s.  5d. 

MiLREi,  Portuguese,  Silver,  value,  4s.  5d.     1000  Peis. 

MiLREi,  Brazil,  Silver,  value,  formerly  4s.  5d.,  now  2s.  Id. 

MiiroEDA,  Portuguese,  Gold,  value,  13s.  6d.     The  half-moidore. 

MixA,  Greek,  Greek  money  of  accouut,  or  100  drachmae. 

MixuTA,  Anglo-Saxon,  Copper.     The  Styca. 

MiOBOLO,  Ionian  Islands,  Copper. 

MiRLiTOF,  French,  Gold. 

MiscAL,  Arabian,  Gold. 

MissiLiA,  Roman.     Coins  scattered  at  the  Games. 

Mite,  English,  Copper,  value,  one  third  of  a  flirthing. 

MiTKUL,  Barhary,  Gold,  value,  9s.,  24  Fluces — 1  Blankeel,  4  Blan- 
keels — 1  Ounce,  10  Ounces — 1  Mitkul.  Bendiky,  Miscal,  or  Du- 
cat. 

MiTRE,  English,  base  silver,  temp.  K.  Edward  I. 

MoBOGS,  Hindu,  seeds  used  for  weighing  gold. 

Moco,  West  Indies,  Silver,  value.  Is.  l|d.  A  piece  cut  from  a 
Dollar. 

MoHUR,  Hindu,  Gold,  value,  £1  9s.  Id.,  the  Mohnr  Sicca,  32s.  Mohr, 
Mohar,  and  Moore. 

MoiDORE,  Portuguese,  Gold,  value,  27s.     The  Moeda  D'Oro. 

MoxACO,  Italian,  Silver,  value,  4s.  4d.     The  Monk. 

Mo>rzoN:xAH,  Barbary,  Silver,  value,  Id. 

MoRELOs  Dollars,  Mexican,  Silver  Dollar,  coined  in  1812  or  '13  by 
the  Rep.  Gen.  Morelos. 

MosTOSKA,  Russian,  Copper,  4  to  a  Kopek. 

Morxox,  Anglo-Gallic,  Gold.     Bearing  Agnus  Dei. 

Musket  Balls,  American,  value,  a  farthing,  current  in  Massachu- 
setts, 1656. 

MuRAGLiOLi,  Modena,  Copper,  value,  Id. 

MvxET,  Anglo-Saxon,  whence  mint. 

MuEAjoLA,  Bologna. 

Mu>rTZE,  German.     The  small  coins. 


NAXPTOGrsrs,  Japanese,  Silver.     A  lump. 

Napoleox,  French,  Gold,  1803,  value,  15s.  lOd.,  20  Francs. 

Nasara,  Tunis,  Silver,  value,  24d. 

Naulum,  Greek,  money  put  into  mouths  of  deceased  persons.     The 

freight. 
Newemeen-,  Ashantee,  Gold,  value,  £4  5s.  4d.  an  ounce. 
Xisfiah,  Turkish,  Gold,  weight  al)out  20  grains. 
Noble,  English,  Gold,  1344,  value,  6s.  8d  ;  there  are  George,  Rose 

Nobles,  etc. 
NouMiA,  Roman,  small  Copper,  only  10  grains  weight,  later  days  of 

the  Empire. 
NusfMUS,  Roman,  the  Sestertius,  also  the  Generic  name  for  money 


N'umismatic  Dictionary.  97 

NusF,  Modern  Egypt,  Silver=10  Piastres,  48cts. 

NTusFLTK,  Modern  Egypt,  Gold=50  Picastres,  $2.49. 

N^oiR,  French  West  Indies,  Billon,  l^d.,  the  black  dog,  so  called. 


Obax,  Japan,  Gold.     Ouban. 

Obolus,   Greek,  Brass,  also  Anglo-Saxon,  and   English,  temp.   K. 

Henry  III.,  base. 
Obolus,  Rhenish,  Gold.     Also  Silver,  value,  Is.  2d. 
Obolo,  Ionian  Islands,  Copper. 
Obsidioxal,  money  struck  during  a  siege. 
OcHAVA,  Mexican,  Copper,  value,  |d.,  8  Ochavas — 1  Rial,  8  Rials — 1 

Dollar. 
OcHAVO,  Spanish,  Copper,  value,  M.     The  Chavo  and  Chovy. 
OcHELLO,  Venetian,  Gold,  value,  £1  17s.  8d.,  4  Zeechine. 
OcHOSEN',  Spanish.     The  smallest  old  coin. 
OcTAGOX,  California.     See  Slug. 
Oertogs,  Swedish,  Silver. 
Ox-BESHLiK,  Turkish,  Silver=15  Paras. 
Oncetta,  Neapolitan,  Gold,  value,  10s.  3d.,  Onza. 
OxciA,  Italian,  Gold,  value,  10s.  3d.  in  Sicily. 
Onikilik,  Turkish,  Gold,  value,  about  90  cents. 
OxLiK,  Turkish,  Silver=10  Paras. 

Onza  de  Org,  Mexican,  Gold,  value,  £3  4s.     The  Doblon. 
OxzARO,  Papal,  Gold,  value,  9s.  4d.,  the  Ducat.     Ongaro. 
Or,  Persian,  Silver,  value,  6s.  8d. 
Ora,   Anglo-Saxon,    computation,    an    ounce,    20    pennies.      Also 

Danish. 
Or,  or  Ore,  Swedish,  Copper,  and  Silver,  value,  id.     Koppar  Ore, 

the  Rundstyck.     Silver,  the  Styfcr. 
Oet,  Danish,  the  fourth ;  as  Ort  Groschen,  fourth  of  a  Groat. 
Ortje,  Flemish,  Copper. 
OsELLA,  Venetian,  Gold.      Oselle,  Venetian,  Silver,  value,  3s.  2d. 

Osell. 
OsTic,  Greek,  value,  6d. 

OusTAVA,  Portuguese.     A  division  of  the  Mark. 
Owl,  Greek,  Silver.     The  Tetrad rachm. 


Padexs,  Hindoo,  nuts  from  Persia,  current  at  Surat.     The  Bad- 
dams. 

Pagoda,  Hindoo,Gold,  and  also  Silver,     Star  Pagoda,  value,  7s.  4d, 
Arcot  Pagoda,  value,  4s.  lid. 

pAJf,  a  Chinese  Medal,  ^ 

Paisah,  Hindoo,  Copper.     Nepaul. 

Paolo,  Papal,  Silver,  value,  5d.,  10  Pauli — 1  Scudo. 

Pai'arina,  Roman,  coins  of  12th  and  13th  centuries,  also    called- 
Provif.ini. 

7 


5)8  JVuinismatic  Z>lctionary. 

Papeito,  Papal,  Silver,  value,  10|^d. 

Papieolo,  Sartliuian,  Billon. 

Para,  Turkish,  Billon,  40  Paras  to  a  Piastre.     Parat. 

Pardo,  Barbary,  Silver,  value,  Is.  3d.     Pardao.     Also  Indian. 

Pargo,  Portuguese  India,  Silver,  value,  2s.  5d.,  4  Tangas. 

Parisis  D'Ok,  French,  1350.     And  Parisis  d'Argent,  1350. 

Pakpajolo,  Loinbardy,  Billon,  value,  Id.,  8  to  a  Lira. 

Pasteboard,  Dutch.     Siege  money  at  Leyden,  1574. 

Pataque,  another  name  for  the  Turkish  Silver,   Yuzllk. 

Pataca,  Portuguese  and  Brazdian,  Silver,  value,  Is.  5d.,  Patacao  or 

Sei:o. 

Patack,  Batavian. 

1'atacon,  Spanish,  Silver,  value,  4s.  3d. 

Patagox,  Dutch,  Silver,  value,  4s.  Id.,  50  Stuyver  Piece,  or  Leg 

Dollar.     Swiss,  value,  3s.  lOd. 
Pataud,  Flemish,  Copper,  value,  Id.     Patar,  the  Stiver. 
Patpy,  Hindoo,  inferior  coin  of  Trangania. 
Paunchea,  Bombay,  money  of  account,  value,  5  Rupees. 
Pavillon,  Anglo-Gallic,  Gold,  temp.  K.  Edward  III. 
Pegco,  Java.     Money  of  account. 
Pecha,  Tartary,  Copper.     Pessa,  Pice. 
Pecukia,  Roman  money,  from  Pecus,  cattle. 
Penebad,  Silver  of  Persia,  present  weight  about  41  grains. 
Penge,  Danish,  Pence,  money. 
Penguin,  Ashantee,  Gold,  value,  £11  16s.  4d. 
Pening,  Dutch,  Copper,  tlie  halt-farthing,  coin  in  general  in  many 

countries. 
Penny,  Anglo-Saxon,  Silver ;  English,  Gold,  temp.  K.  Henry  III., 

also  Copper,  from  temp.  K.  George  III.,  240  to  a  Pound. 
Penny  of  St.  Paul,  Westphalia,  Silver,  1260.     Munster. 
Penxyyard,   Penny,  Silver,   English    coins  in   heraldry   so   called. 

Spence,  arms.  v 

Pentadraciim,  Greek,  Silver,  value,  3s.  6d.     Drachmae. 
Pe.mvchalkon,  Attic,  Silver,  f  of  the  Obolus. 
Pextobolus,  Attic,  Silver,  piece  of  5  Oboles. 
Peupero,  IJagusa,  Silver.     Perpera,  Greek,  Gold,  value,  10s. 
Peseta,  Spanish,   Silver,  value,   Is.  O^d.,   5    Reals;    the   Mexican 

quarter  dollar. 
Peso  Duro,  Spanish,  Silver,  value,  4s.  3d.     The  Hard  Dollar. 
Pessa,  Hindoo,  Copper,  value,  ^d.     Pecha,  Pice. 
Petermengen,  Germany  Triers,  Billon,  value,  fd. 
Petit  Florix,  Tuscan.  Gold,  1340; 
Petit  Ryal,  French,  Gold,  1314. 
Pezza,  Tuscan,  Silver,  value,  3s.  8d.     Pezza,  Leghorn,  Gold,  value, 

4s.,  Pezzi  Solid i.  Piasters. 
Pfennig,  German,  Copper,  12  Pfennings — 1  Groschen,  30  Groschen 

—1  Tiialer. 
P'iiai'nung,  Siamese,  weight  for  gold. 

PfiiLiP,  Flemish,  Gold.     The  Ryder.     Phillipo,  Lorabardy,  Silver. 
Piicenix,  Mod.  Greek,  Silver,  value,  8d. 


I^uinistnatic  Dictionary.  91^ 

Piaster,  Spanish,  Silver,  the  Dollar,  value,  4s.  3d. 

PiASTRA,  a  la  Rose,  Tuscan,  Silver.     The  Neapolitan  Dollar. 

Piastre,  Turkish,  Silver,  value,  3d. 

PiATAK,  Russian,  Copper,  value,  5  Kopeks. 

Pic,  Chinese,  value,  100  Catties. 

Pice,  Hindoo,  Coppei-,  12  Pice — 1  Anna,  16  Annas — 1  Rupee. 

PiccHALEON,  Sardinian,  Copper.     The  Centisimo. 

PiccOLA,  Maltese,  Copper,  6  to  a  Grano,  the  smallest  coin. 

Piece  of  Eight,  Spanish  Silver,  value,  4s.  3d.,  the  Dollar,  or  Piaster, 
formerly  8  Reals,  now  20  Reals. 

Pied-fort,  French,  a  standard  coin,  or  Pattern. 

PiGNATELLO,  Papal,  Billon,  temp.  P.  Innocent  XII. 

Pillar  Dollar,  Spanish,  Silver,  The  Dollar  with  the  Pillars, 
value,  4s,  3d. 

Pina,  Peruvian,  Silver  Bullion. 

PiSTAREEN,  Spanish,  Silver,  value,  lOd.,  the  fifth  of  the  Dollar,  4 
Reals, 

Pistole,  Spanish,  Gold,  value^  16s.,  formerly  32  Reals,  now  80, 

Pistole,  German,  various  States,  Gold,  value,  16s,  3d. 

Pistole,  Scots,  Gold,  1701, 

PiTE,  or  BouBGEOisE,  Freucli,  Billon,  temp,  St.  Louis  of  France,  \ 
of  the  Denier, 

Pities,  Batavian,  leaden  coins. 

Plack,  Scots,  Billon,  one  third  of  a  penny, 

Platixum,  Russian,  3  Rouble  piece,  current  value,  8s.  lOd.,  intrinsic 
value,  6s, 

Plappart,  Swiss,  Copper,  a  Bernese  coin,  1458, 

Plappert,  German,  liillon,  value,  2d.,  4  Albus. 

Plaquette,  Flemish,  Billon. 

Plata,  Mexican,  Silver  money,     Plata  Macuquina,  Brazilian  strips. 

Plates,  Swedish,  Copper.     The  large  coins. 

Plott,  Swedish,  Silver,  value,  Is,  6d,     Plat. 

Plumbei  Nummi,  Roman,  leaden  coins.     Temp,  Saturnalia. 

Pollard,  English.     A  Poll  head,  clipped  coin. 

Polonaise,  Polish,  Gold, 

PoLTix,  Russian,  Silver,  value.  Is,  6d.,  the  half  Ruble.  Polpoltin, 
the  quarter  Rouble. 

PoLTUBAT,  Hungarian,  Copper. 

PoLusKA,  Russian,  Copper.     The  quarter  Kopek. 

PoxDO,  Roman,  Brass.     The  As. 

Pone,  Tartary,  Copper,  value,  ^d. 

PoNTE,  Sicilian.     Money  of  account. 

PoOT,  Junk,  Ceylon,  Tin  money. 

Porcelain,  a  shell,  current  in  W,  Indies, 

Portcullis,  English,  Silver,  at  Bombay  ;  Crown,  Half-crown,  Shil- 
ling, and  Sixpence,  temp.  Q.  Elizabeth, 

PoRTUGALESE,  Lubcc,  Gold, 

PoTiN,  Egyptian,  coins  of  a  mixture  of  lead,  co])per,  and  tin. 

Pou,  or  Pag,  ancient  Chinese  coins.  The  word  signifying  to  dis- 
tribute. 


100  Numismatic  Dictionary. 

PoiTL,  Tartary,  Copper.     Ponl  e  Siaho,  Persian,  Copper. 

Pound,  Anolo-Saxou  and  English,  computation,  value,  20s. 

PjiovisiNi,  Roman,  Senatorian  coins  of  the  12th  and  13th  centuries. 

Publico,  Neapolitan,  Copper, 

PuL,  Persian,  Copper.     The  general  name  for  coins  of  that  metal. 

Pui-ZLATY,  Hungarian,  Silver,  the  half  Florin. 

PuNN,  Bengal,  value,  20  cowries. 

Puon-Leang,  ancient  Chinese  coins  of  the  Tsix  dynasty. 

Purse,  Turkish,  500  Piastres, 

Pysa,  Asiatic,  Copper,  value,  50th  of  Mamoud.     Qu.  Pice. 


QuADRAisrs,  Brass,  Roman  4th  of  the  As.     Small  brass. 

QuADRiGATi,  Roman,  Silver,  denarii  with  four-horse  car. 

Quadruple,  Spanish,  Gold,  4  Pistoles,  value,  £3  4s. 

Quadruple,  Sardinian,  Gold,  80  Lire,  value,  £3  3s.  4d. 

QuADRUssis,  Roman,  Brass,  vahie,  4  Asses.     The  As  Grave. 

QuAN,  Cochin  China,  Silver,  value,  4s.  6d. 

Quart  Crown,  Bavarian,  Silver,  value,  Is.  Id. 

QuARTA  Onza,  Mexican,  Gold,  value,  16s.  Quarto  de  Peso,  Peru- 
vian, Coppei*. 

QuARENTiNo,  Modcua,  Silver,  value.  Is,  8d. 

Quarter  Guinea,  English,  Gold,  value,  5s.  3d.  K.  George  L  and 
III. 

QuARTiLLO,  Mexican,  Silver.     Quarter  Real. 

QuARTiNHO,  Portuguese,  Gold. 

Quarto,  Gibraltar,  Copper,  value,  fjirthing,  16  Quartos — 1  Rial,  12 
Rials — 1  Dollar,  from  the  Spanish  Cuarta. 

QuATTRiNi,  Venetian,  Silver,  very  small. 

Quattrino,  Italian,  Copper,  value,  farthing.     Quattrinello. 

QuiLATE,  Spanish.     The  Carat. 

QuiNARius,  Roman,  Silver.  The  half  Denai'ius,  marked  V.  Also 
of  Gold. 

Quincunx,  Roman,  Brass,  piece  of  five  Unciae. 

QuiNcussis,  piece  of  5  Asses. 

QuiNTO  Di  ScuDO,  Lucca,  Silver,  value,  lO^d. 

Quintuple,  Neapolitan,  Gold,  5  Ducati,  value,  iVs.  Id.,  5  Scudi, 
value,  19s.  2d. 


Rader  Florin,  Gennan.     Money  of  account  at  Cologne. 

Ragusina,  Ragusa,  Silver. 

Rapp,  Swiss,  Copper,  10  Rappen — 1  Batz.     Angster. 

Rathspr^esentger,  German,  Silver,  value,  8d,     Aix  la  Chapelle. 

]Iatisbonina,  Ratisbon.     Money  of  account. 

Ratiti,  Roman,  Silver.     The  Denarius  bearing  a  Ratis.     Raft. 

Real,  Spanish,  Silver,  the  Rial,  value,  2^d.     20  Reals — 1  Dollar. 

Real,  Persian,  Silver.     The  Rupee. 


4 


Numismatic  Dictionary.  101 

Reale,  Sardinian,  Silver,  va,lue,  4^(1.     The  Florentine. 

Rebia,  Turkish,  Gold,  Aveight  about  13^  grains. 

Red  Wood,  An^la,  now  current. 

Regensburger,  Ratisbon.     Money  of  account. 

Rei,  Portuguese,  Copper,  value,  one-tifth  of  a  farthing.     Rez,  Reis, 

computation,  1000  Reis — I  Milh-eL 
Reichs  Gulden,  Saxony,  Silver,  value.  Is.  8d.     Two-thirds  of  Rix 

Dollar. 
Reichs  Thalee,  Prussian,  Silver,  value,  2s.  lid. 
Besellado.  Spanish.     Money  re-coined. 

Rial,  English,  Gold.     The  Rose  Noble,  temp.  K.  Edward  IV". 
Rial,  Mexico,  Silver,  valu-e,  Q\(\.,  8  Rials — 1  Dollar. 
RiDDY,  Ceylon.  Silver,  bent  wire,  value,  7d.     Rheedy. 
Rider,  Scots,  Gold.     Temp.  K.  James  IV.     Ryder. 
RiKS  Daler,  Danish,  Silver,  specie  value,  4b.  7d.     The  Rigsbank 

Dollar,  value,  2s.  3d. 
RiKSGALD-DALER,  Swedisli,  paper  money,  equal  to  about  25  cents. 
Ring  Money,  Gold,  Silver,  Iron,  and  Tin,  Celtic.     Now  in  Africa. 
Rix  Dollar,  Hanse  Towns,  Silver,  specie  value,  3s.    lO^d.,   and 

current  value,  2s.  lid. 
Rix  Dollar,  Sweden,  Silver,  specie  value,  4s.  6d.,  Rix  Dollar  Banco, 

value.  Is.  8d. 
Roanoke,  Indian  shells  strung,  value,  6d.  a  cubit,  or  18  inches. 
Rookie,  Turkish,  Silver,  value,  Is.  8d.     Qu.  Gold. 
RosARiE.     A  base  coin,  perhaps  Abbey  piece. 
Rose  Noble,  English,  Gold,  value,  6«.  8d.,and  in  temp.  K.  James  L, 

Rose  Royal,  value,  30s. 
RosiNA,  Tuscan,  Gold,  value,  18s.  3d.     Mezza  Rosina. 
Roup,  Polish,  Silver,  value,  5d.. 
Ruba,  Modern  Egypt,  Silver,  =  5  piastres,  24. 
RuBic,  Turkish,  Gold,  value.  Is.  9d.     35  Aspers.     Rubich. 
Ruble,  Russian,  Silver,  value,  3s.,  100  Copecks.     Rouble. 
RuNSTYCK,  Swedish,  Copper,  value,  one  sixth  of  a  farthing.     Koppar 

Ore. 
Rupee,  Hindostan,  value.  Is.  lid.,  16  Annas.     Inscription  in  Orien- 
tal characters ;  the  oldest  are  square. 
RuspoNE,  Tuscan,  Gold,  value,  £\  8s.  6d.,  from  Ruspo,  newly  coined. 
Ryal,  P^rench,  Gold.     See  Rial. 
Ryder,  Flemish,  Gold,  value,  £1  4s.  9d.     Also  Silver,  value,  5s.  4d. 

The  Ducatooii.     See  Rider. 
Ryksort,  Danish,  Silver. 


Saadeeyeh,  Egyptian,  Gold,  value.  Is. 

Sadiki,  Gold  of  Mysore,  weight  about  4  dwt.  10  grs. 

Sahib-Koran,  or  Real  of  Silver,  Persia,  weight  about  143  to  15S 

grains,  value.  Is.  2d. 
Saime,  Barbary.     Money  of  account  at  Algiers 
Saint  Andrew^  Scots,  Gold. 
Saint  John  the  Baptist,  Genoese,  Silver. 


102  N^icmismatic  Dictionary. 

Saint  Mark,  Venetian,  Silver.     The  Orociato,  or  Scudo. 

Saint  Thomas,  Portuguese,  Gold,  value,  9s.     At  Goa,  in  India. 

Saint  Stephen,  Portuguese,  Gold,  value,  30s.     The  Milrea. 

Saldixg,  English.     Base  coin,  temp.  K,  Edward  I.     Scalding. 

Salung,  Siamese,  value,  2  Foangs. 

Salut,  Anglo-Gallic,  Gold,  value,  13s.  4d. 

Sannar,  Persian. 

Santa,  Chinese  computation,  9d.     200  Cash. 

Sattalie,  Bencoolen,  also  Sattellee,  money  of  account,  3  Sattalies — 

1  Succos,  4  Suceos — 1  Dollar. 
ScARABEi,    Egyptian,   clay-l)aked,  beetle-shaped,  probably  current 

money ;  also  Greek,  Gold,  and  Silver. 
Sceatta,  or  Skeatta,  Anglo-Saxon,  Billon  or  Silver. 
ScHAFF,  Hanoverian.     Money  of  account  at  Emden. 
ScHALiN,  Dutch,  Silver,  value,  7d. 
ScHELLiNG,  Flemish,  Billon. 
ScHERFFE,  Brunswick,  Money  of  account. 
Schilling,  Hanse  Towns,  Billon,  value  Id. 
ScHLANTE,  Swedish,  Copper,  value,  ^d.     Slantar  or  Los  penningar, 

Copper. 
ScHLECH  Thaler,  German.     Money  of  account  at  Aix-la-Chapelle. 
ScHOCK,  Saxony,  money  of  account. 
ScHOT,  early  Prussian  Silver. 

ScHuiTE,  Japanese,  Silver,  boat-shaped,  value,  25s.  3d, 
ScHWAKE,  Bremen,  Copper,  5  to  the  Grote. 
Schwartz,  Hanse  Towns,  5  Schwartzen — 1  Grote. 
ScoRTEOS  AsES,  Roman,  Leather  coins. 
ScuDiNO,  Modena,  Gold. 

Scudo,  Italian,  Silver,  value,  4s.  2d.,  10  Paoli 
Scudo  D'Oro,  Genoese,  value,  4s. 
Scute,  English,  temp.  Q.  Elizabeth. 
Scyllinga,  Anglo-Saxon.     Computation. 

Seaou,  Pwang  Leang.    Ancient  Chinese  coin.    '■'■Little  half  Leangs.^^ 
Sechser,  German,  Copper,  value,  2d.,  literally  a  sixer,  or  Ki'eutzer 

piece. 
Sechsling,  Hamburg,  Copper. 

Sechstels,  Saxony,  Silver,  value,  r)d.,  4  good  Groschen. 
Segros,  Polish,  Billon,  value,  4d. 
Selah,  Jewish,  Silver.     2  Shekels. 
Sello,  Brazil,  Silver,  value,  2s.  9d.     See  Pataca. 
Sembrella,  Roman,  Brass.     Sclibra,  Semi  Libella. 
Semis,  Roman,  Brass.     The  Semi  As  or  Semiuncia,  and  Semi  Aureus, 

Gold. 
Semisis,  Gold.     Half  of  the  Byzantine  8<jlidut>. 
Seni,  Japanese,  Copper,     The  Cas.     600  to  a  Taek 
Sepeck,  Anam  Emp.     Brass. 
Sequin,  Turkish,  Gold,   value,   9s.   3d.,  Chequin  or  Sultany.     Also 

Italian,  Zequin,  or  Zi'chiiio. 
Serrata,  Roman.     Coins  with  the  edges  notched. 
Sessino,  Parma,  Copper.     Sosino. 


N'umismatic  Dictionary.  1J3 

SKSTERTiinr,  1000  Sestertii  (IIS),  Roman  money  of  account. 

Sestertius,  Roman,  Silver,  4th  of  Denarius,  also  Large  Brass. 

Sesthalf,  Dutch,  Silver,  value,  5d. 

Sevex  Shillings,  English,  Gold,  temp.  K.  George  III. 

Sextans,  Roman,  Brass.     6th  of  the  As. 

Sextula,  Roman,  Rrass. 

Shahee,  Persian,  Silver,  value,  |d.,  4  Shaliis — 1  Piastre,  5  Piastres — 

1  Karaun,  10  Karauns — 1  Tamaun.     Shahi. 
Shahee,  Copper,  of  Persia,  10  of  them  equal  to  one  Penebad. 
Shakee,  Turkish,  Silver,  value,  3^d. 
Shatree,  Persian,  Silver. 
Shaei,  Kabul,  Silver,  value,  5d. 
Shekel,  Jewish,  Silver,  value,   3s.      Also   in   Gold.      Also   called 

Kesitah  in  Book  of  Job. 
Shilling,  English,  Silver,  20  to  a  Pound. 
Shoe,  Chinese,  Gold  and  Silver  Ingots,  value  various,  from  one  half 

to  100  Taels.     Dutch  name,  Schuit. 
Shostack,   German,  money    of  account    in    Prussia,    Poland,     etc. 

Shustack. 
SiANi,  Syria.     Money  of  account  at  Aleppo,  24  Siani — 1  Asper. 
Sicca,  Persian,  Gold,  at  Delhi :  means  a  Die,  a  coin. 
Sicca  Rupee,  Bengal,  Silver,  value,  2s.  Id.;  Sicca,  a  weight. 
SiCLE,  Jewish,  Silver.     The  Shekel. 

SiGiLL^,  Roman,  Brass ;  also  leaden  counters  at  the  Satui'nalia. 
SiLBER  Groschen,  PiHissian,  base  metal,  value,  1;^.,  30  to  a  Thaler. 
SlLiC2UA,  the  Carob  Bean.     The  Carat  weight. 
Silver  Sovereign,  Spanish.     The  Dollar,  so  called. 
SiNGPNAi,  Siamese,  value,  2  P'hainnngs. 
Slet  Dollar,  Danish.     Schlecht,  a  4  Mark  Piece. 
Slips,  English,  Base  money,  temp.  K,  Edward  YI.,  value  l^d. 
Slug,  California,  Gold,  value,  £10  5s.  2d.  ;  50  Dollars,  Octagon. 
Small  Brass,  Roman.     The  size  of  the  Sextans. 
Snaphane,  Brabant,  Silver,  1489. 
Sol,  old  French  Copper.     The  Sou. 
Soldo,  Italian,  Coppei'. 

SoLiDus,  Roman,  Gold,  value  12s.    Solidus,  the  Anglo-Saxon  shilling. 
Solota,  Greek,  value  Is. 
SoMPAYE,  Siamese,  Silver. 

SoNG-PAYE,  Siamese,  Silver,  weighs  about  15  grains. 
Sovereign,  English,  Gold,  1485,  value,  £\  b^.;  1816,  value,  £1. 
Sovereign,  Austrian,  Gold,  value,  £l  7s.  lOd.,  3  Ducats. 
Spintri.e,  Roman,  Brass,  ol>scene  tickets,  not  current. 
Spur  Royal,  English,  Gold,  value,  los.     The  Spurred  Groat,  Scots. 

Silver,  value  16d. 
Stambul,  name  given   to  the  Turkish   Gold,  Zer-mahilb,   coined  in 

Constantinople,  as  the  name  3Iisr  is  given  to  those  coined  at 

Cairo. 
Stater,  Greek,  Gold,  value,  about  £1  3s,,  Greek  for  standard.    Early 

name,  Clirysus  ;  also  Hemistater  (or  Half  Stater),  the  Distater 

(or  Double  Stater.) 


104  N'umismatlc  Dictionary. 

Steping,  Eiiglisli,  Base  coin,  temp.  K.  Edward  I. 

Sterling,  Anglo-Norman,  Silver,     Steore,  Standard. 

Stiver,  Plemisli,  Copper.     Stuyver,  Dutch,  Billon,  value  Id. 

Stuber,  German,  Copper.     The  Stiver.     Styfer,  Swedish,  Billon. 

Styca,  small  Copper  coin  of  the  Northumbrian  (Anglo-Saxon)  kings. 

Stykker,  Danish. 

Succo,  Bencoolen,  money  of  account,  quarter  Dollar. 

SuADO,  Austrian,  Silver,  value,  4s.  8d. 

SuELDO,  Catalonia  and  Majorca,  money  of  account,  12  Dineros — 1 

Sueldo,  12  Sueldos — 1  Libra,  value  2d. 
SuKA,  Silver  of  Nepaul,  weighing  22  grains. 
SuSKix,  English.     The  diminutive  of  the  French  Sou. 
Swine  Pennies,  Roman  coins  found  in  Lincolnshire,  so  called. 
Sycke,  Chinese,  Silver  Ingots,  can^e-shaped,  Chinese  standard  silver. 
Syfert,  Hanoverian,  Copper,  current  at  Embden. 


Tael,  Chinese,  Silver,  value,  6s.  8d.,  1000  Cash.     Thail,  Japan,  Tell. 

Taija,  Spanish,  Co])per,  value,  the  4th  of  a  Real. 

Talaro,  Tuscan,  Silver,  the  Dollar;  the  Thalaro  of  the  Levant,  16 

Piastres.     Turkey. 
Talent,  Hebrew,  computation,  60  Shekels. 
Talent,  Greek,  weight  60  Minw,  the  value  of  the  Attic  Mina  was 

£4  Is.  3d. 
Tanga,  Lidian,  Gold,  value,  'Z^d.,  4  Tangas — 1  Pargo. 
Taou,  Chinese,  Knife  coins,  early  brass,  cast. 
Ta-pou,  ancient,  Chinese  coin,  gVQUt  pou. 

Tar,  Silver,  Hindoo,  value  i,  current  on  the  coast  of  Malabar      Tare. 
Tartemorion,  Attic  Silver,  \  of  the  Obolus. 
Tarin,  Sicilian,  Maltese,  Silver,  value,  20  Grani,  5th  of  a  Ducat. 
Taro,  Sicilian,  Silver,   value,   S^d.,   5  Tari — 1  Ducat;   and  Malta 

value,  l-id. 
TciiAO,  Chinese  paper  money. 
Tela,  Persian.     Various  value.     The  Tilla. 
Temasha,  small    uneven   Silver  coin   of  Sinagur,   in   the   northern 

range  of  the  Hindustan  mountains. 
Teruncius,  Roman,  Brass,  3  oz.     4th  of  Libella. 
Tessehes,  tokens  or  tickets  used  for  admission  to  the  ancient  games 

and  theatres. 
Tester,  English,  Silver.     Coin  -with  a  head  upon  it. 
Teston,  Italian,  Silver,  value,  Is.  6d. 
Testone,  Portuguese,  Silver,  value,  5^d.,  lOO  Reis. 
Tetra    Drachm,    Greek.   Silver,    value,    4    Drachma3 ;   the    Stater 

Argenteus,  value,  3s.  3d. 
Tetrobolus,  Greek,  Silver,  value,  4  Oboli,  6d. 
Thaler,  German,  Silver,  value,  2s.    lid.     First  coined  in  Joachim's 

Thai,  a  valley  in  IJoheinia. 
""I'liiKD  OF  A  Guinea,  P^nglish,  Gold,  value  Vs. 
TuRi.MSA,  Anglo-Saxon.     Three-tiflhs  of  a  shilling. 


i 
I 


ITamismatic  Dictionary.  105 

TiCAL,  Siamese,  Silver,  nut-shaped.     The  Baat. 

TiLLA,  Persian,  Gold,  value,  13s.  4d.     The  Tela  and  Tila. 

TiNFE,  Polish,  Silver,  value.  Is.  3d.     Timpfe. 

Ti-POiT,  ancient  Chinese  coin. 

ToGHRATj,  name  given  such  Turkish  pieces  as  are  distinguished  by 

the  toghra^  or  royal  cypher. 
Tokens,  English,  Copper,  issued  by  tradesmen  in  the  l6th  and  18th 

centuries  ;  also  Silver,  English,  temp.  K.  George  III. 
ToKOO,  Ashantee,  Silver,  value  8d. 
Toman,  Persian,  Gold,  value,  lOs.  3d.,  50  Abassis  or  Piastres.     Tou 

man  and  Tomaun. 
ToMPONG,  Malacca. 
Tonga,  Persian,  Silver,  value,  Ys.  6d. 
ToRNESE,  Neapolitan,  Copper.     2  to  the  Grano. 
Tough  Pieces,  English,  Silver.      Given   to    persons   touched  for 

King's  evil.     Also  Gold. 
TouRNAY  Groat,  Aiiglo-(jtallic,  Silver,  temp.  K.  Henry  VIII. 
Town  Pieces,  English,  Copper,  tokens  issued  by  towns. 
Traro,  Venetian,  Billon,  value  2d.,  4  to  the  Lira  Austriaca. 
Tremissis,  Roman,  Gold,  value,  one-third  of  the  Solidus,  48. 
Tridrachim,  Greek,  Silver,  value,  3  Drachmae. 
Triens,  Roman.     Value,  one-third  of  the  As. 
Trientes,  Gold  coins  of  the  Gothic  kings  of  Spain. 
Trihemitartemorion,  Attic  Silver,  ^  of  the  Obolus. 
Trikollybon,  Greek  Copper. 
Trigross,  Polish.     Value,  2d. 

Triobolus,  Greek,  Silver.     The  Hemidrachm,  value,  4|^d. 
Triquetra,  a  type  of  coins,  bearing  three  joined  legs,  originating 

in  Sicily. 
Tripondius,  Roman,  Brass,  value,  3  Ases. 

Tritemorion,  or  TRITARTE^^0RI0N,  Attic  Silver,  |  of  the  Obolus. 
TsEEN,  Chinese,  Brass.     The  Cash. 

Turner,  Scots,  Copper.    A  base  coin.  Qu.  Tournois,  coined  at  Tours. 
TsE-pou,  ancient  Chinese  coin,  later  ^:>o«/. 
TuRNOSE,  German  Silver. 

Twenty  Shilling  Piece,  TCnglish,  Silver,  temp.  K.  Chai-les  I. 
Two  Guinea  Piece,  English,  Gold,  from  temp.  K.  Chai'les  IL 
Two  Penny  Piece,  Englisli,  Copper,  temp.  K.  George  III. 
TuNKA,  Hindoo,  Silver,  value  2s. 
Tymfe,  Prussia,  Silver,  value,  8^d.,  18  Old  Gross. 


UcHu,  Peruvian,  species  of  Capsicum.     The  Pod,  used  as  a  coin. 

Udli,  Hindoo,  Silver. 

Uncia,  Roman,  Brass.     Ounce,  12th  of  As. 

Unicorn,  Scots,  Gold,  temp.  K.  .James  III. 

Unit,  English,  Gold,  value  20s.,  temp.  K.  James  I.    Laureled  pieces. 

Urdek,  Bombay,  Copper. 

Uta,  Batavian.     At  Java. 


106  N'umismatic  Dictionary. 

Varaha,  Gold,  coin  of  IMysore,  value,  about  8s. 

Vargas,  Dollars.       Mexican  Silver   Dollars,    coined  in   1811    and 

1812  by  tlie  Republican  General,  Varoos. 
Yeintex,  or  Coronilla,  a  Spanish  gold  Dollar. 
Vellon,  Spanish,  Cojiper.     Or  IJillon. 
ViCTORiATi  s,  Roman,  Silver,  value  4d.     The  Quinarius,  with":  fiure 

of  Victory. 
ViNTEM,  Portuguese,  Copper,  value.  Id.,  50  to  the  Milreis,  20  Reis. 

Vintin,  at  Goa ;  Vintem,  Spanish,  Gold  coin. 
Viz,  Bengal,  Copper. 


Wampam,  Peage,  American,  shells  strung,  current  in  Pennsylvania, 

lOs.  a  fathom 
Wadmal,  African,  wjDolen  cloth  made  in  Iceland,  and  current. 
White  Peake,  Indian,  shells  strung,  Is.  a  cubit,  18  inches. 
William,  Dutch,  Gold,  value,  16s.  5d.,  formerly  10  Guilders. 
WiiTEX,    Hanoverian,    Silver,    10    Wittens — 1    Stiver,    current    at 

Embden.     Witten  Penning,  Danish,  Silver. 
WissE  MuxTZEN,  Bavarian,  Billon,  inferior  to  current  coin. 
Wood,  Angola,  a  red  kind  from  ]Malemba,  current. 
Woo  TszE  TsEEX,  Chinese  money,  without  inscription  ;  of  the  Ciiow 

dynasty. 

Xeraphix,  Hindoo,  Silver,  value,  2s.  Id. 
Xeriph,  Greece,  value,  10s. 

Yermeebesiilek,  Turkish,  Gold,  value,  12s.  6d. 
YuzLiK,  Turkish,  Silver,  value,  2|  Piastres,   or    100  Paras,  value, 
about  63  cents. 

Zahl  Pfexxig,  German,  Brass,  the  Jeton,  or  reckoning  penny. 

Zarimlik,  Turkish,  Silver,  =20  Pai-as. 

Zarmahhub,  Greece,  Gold,   value,  6s.     Zermahub,  Turkish,  Gold, 

the  Sequin. 
Zehxer,  Austrian,  Silver,  =  10  Kreutzers,  value,  8  cents. 
Zecchixo,  Venetian,  Gold,  value,  9s.  5d.,  from  Zecca,  the  mint,  the 

Sequin  of  Turkey. 
Zexzerli,  Turkish.     Current  in  Egypt. 
ZiAM,  Barl)ary,  Gold,  value,  5s.  2d. 
Znini,  Angola,  Shell.     The  Cowrie. 
Zlaty,  Hungaria)!,  Silver.     The  Florin. 
Zlot,  Polish,  Silver,  value  6<1.,  30  Groschen,  15  Kopecs. 
Zodiac  Rupees,  Hindoo,  value.   Is.   ll^d.,  bear  the  different  signs 

of  the  Zodiac;  there  are  also  Zodiac  Mohurs. 
Zolotah,  Turkish,  Silver,  equal  to  oO  Paras. 
ZuzA,  Jewish,  Silver.     4th  of  a  Shekel. 
ZwANZiGER,  Austrian,  Silver,  value  Hd.,  20  Kreutzers. 
Zweydrittel,  Mecklenburg,  Silver,  value,  2s.      Two-thirds  of  Rix 

Dollar.     Danish,  value,  2s.  lOd. 


Gold  and  Silver  Deposits  for   Coinage.  107 

GOLD    AND    SILVER    DEPOSITS    FOR    COINAGE. 


Statement  of  Domestic   Gold  and  Silver  Deposited  at   the  United 
States  Mint  and  Branches^  for  Coinage^  to  June  30,  1870. 


California 

Montana 

Colorado 

Idaho 

North  Carolina. 

Oregon 

Georgia 

Virjiinia 

Soiitb  Carolina 

Nev.v.la 

Alabama 

Arizona 

New  Mexico 

Utah 

Tennessee 

Washington  Territory. . . 

Dakota 

Nebraska 

Vermont 

Other  Sources 

Parted  from  Silver 

Lake  Superior 

New  Mexico  and  Sonora. 

Sitka 

Wyoming  Territory 

Maryland 

Kansas 

Fine  Bars 

Parted  from  Gold 


Gold. 


630,575,066  05 

24,075,557  98 

17,6G6,8G7  21 

15,424,4.'54  90 

9.G54,G22  33 

10,738,133  87 

7.151,235  56 

1,015,73G  38 

1,371,383  76 

306,724  58 

206,040  57 

506,107  12 

523,133  29 

98,987  86 

81,529  G9 

61,711  71 

5,760  00 

14,748  31 

5,459  88 

43,676,058  14 

4,045,251  39 


397  64 

3,543  21 

89  15 

846  36 


Total  to  June  30,  1870 $768,015,026  94 


Silver. 


$  33,053  93 

70,714  51 

482,211  94 

284,986  40 

4:5,763  86 

1,764  19 

403  83 


4,969,761  35 
38,107  93 


251,471  70 
6.193  93 


74  25 


4G8  00 

767,447  GG 

5,607,820  70 


$12,558,244  18 


Gold  and  Silver. 


$  630,008,719  98 

24,140,272  49 

18.149,079  15 

15,709,421  30 

9,G98,3S6  19 

10,739,898  06 

7,151,639  39 

1,615,736  38 

1,371,383  76 

5,336,485  93 

206,040  57 

604,215  05 

523,133  29 

98,987  86 

81,529  69 

61,711  71 

5,760  00 

14,748  31 

5,459  88 

43,G7G,058  14 

4,045,251  39 

251,471  70 

6,193  93 

397  64 

88,617  46 

89  15 

1,314  36 

767,447  66 

5,607,820  70 

,7S0,573,-J71  12 


Coinage  of  the  Mint  and  Branches  to  the  Close  of  the  Year, 
ENDING  June  30,  1870. 


Mints. 

Gold. 

Silver. 

Copper. 

Piecei. 

Value. 

Philadelphia.. 

1703 
1S54 
1S3S 
1833 
1838 
1S54 
1S63 
1870 
li-09 

%  448,047,892  41 

288,440,-06  81 

40,381,615  00 

5,048,641  50 

6,121.919  00 

179,780.145  58 

3,5:32,306  53 

110,576  05 

19,269  OC 

$101,382,781  86 

7,684.457  17 

29,890,037  13 

$11,019,008  55 

1,089,841,949 

30.726,649 

94,890,695 

1,206,954 

\,3S1,780 

$  560,449.182  68 
290,125,163  93 

New  Orleans. 

70,271,652  13 

5,048,641  50 

Duhlonepa 

4.580,015  17 

6,121,919  00 
l£4,3(;o,160  75 

'i.532,306  53 

Cnrson  City. . . 
Charlotte  

19,793  00 
322  61 

88,666 

'«2,869  05 

19.661  61 

Total 

$971,432,571  88 

$  143.557,406  94 

$11,019,008  65 

1,218,087,593 

$  1,120,058,987  37 

10c 


Coinage  of  the  United  States. 


COINAGE  OF  THE  UNITED   STATES. 

Coinage  of  the  Mint  of  the  United  States^  from  the  year  1V92,  in- 
cluding the  Coinage  of  the  Branch  Mints  from  the  commenccr 
ment  of  their  operations^  and  of  the  Assay  Office. 


Whole  Coinagb. 

Years. 

Gold,  Valuf 

Silver,  Value. 

Copper,  Value. 

Ko.  of  Pieces. 

Value. 

1793-5 

$  71,485 

00 

$370,683  80 

$  11.373  00 

1,8.34,420 

$453,541  80 

1796 

102,727 

50 

79,077  50 

10,324  40 

1,219,370 

192,129  40 

1797 

103,422 

50 

12,591  45 

9,510  34 

1.095,165 

125.524  29 

1798 

205,610 

00 

330,291  00 

9,797  00 

1^368,241 

545,698  00 

1799 

213,285 

00 

423,515  00 

9,106  68 

1,365,081 

645,906  68 

ISOO 

317.700 

00 

224.296  00 

29,279  40 

3,337,972 

571.335  40 

1801 

422.570 

00 

74,758  00 

13,628  37 

1,571.390 

510,956  37 

1802 

423,310 

00 

58.34^,  00 

34,422  83 

3,015,809 

510,075  83 

1803 

258,377 

50 

87,118  00 

25,203  03 

2.780,830 

370,698  53 

1804 

258,042 

50 

100,340  50 

12,844  94 

2,040,839 

371.827  94 

1805 

170,367 

50 

149,388  50 

13,483  48 

2,200,361 

333.239  48 

1806 

324,505 

00 

471,319  00 

5,200  00 

1,815,409 

801,084  00 

1807 

437,495 

00 

597,448  75 

9,652  21 

2,731,345 

1,044,595  96 

1808 

284,605 

00 

684,300  00 

13,090  00 

2,935,888 

982,055  00 

1809 

169,375 

00 

707,370  00 

8,001  53 

2,861,834 

884,752  53 

1810 

501,435 

00 

038,773  50 

15,000  00 

3,056.418 

1,155,868  50 

1811 

497,905 

00 

608,340  00 

2,495  95 

1,649.570 

1,1 08,7-10  95 

1812 

290,435 

00 

814,029  50 

10,755  CO 

2,761,646 

1,115,219  50 

1813 

477,140 

00 

620,951  50 

4,180  00 

1,755,331 

1,102,275  50 

1814 

77,270 

00 

561,087  50 

3,578  30 

1,833,859 

642.5:5  80 

1815 

3,175 

00 

17,:-t08  00 

69,867 

20.483  00 

1816 

28,575  75 

28,209  82 

2,888,135 

56,785  57 

1817 

007,783  50 

39,484  00 

5,163,907 

647,267  50 

1818 

242,940 

00 

1,070,454  50 

31,070  00 

5,537,084 

1,345.064  50 

1819 

258,615 

00 

1,140,000  00 

26,710  00 

6,074,723 

1,425,325  00 

1820 

1,319,030 

00 

501.680  70 

44,075  50 

6,492,509 

1, 864,786  20 

1821 

189,325 

00 

825,762  45 

3,890  00 

3,139,249 

1,018,977  45 

1822 

88.980 

00 

8O5,C00  50 

20,723  39 

3,81.3,788 

915,509  89 

1823 

72,425 

00 

895,550  00 

2,106,485 

967.975  00 

1824 

93,200 

00 

1,752,477  00 

'  V2,620  00 

4,786,894 

1,858.297  00 

1825 

150,385 

00 

1,564.583  00 

14,920  00 

5,178.700 

1,7;;.5,894  00 

182(> 

92,245 

00 

2,002.090  00 

16,344  25 

5,774.434 

2.110,679  25 

1827 

131.505 

00 

'2.809,200  00 

2;{,557  32 

9.097,845 

3,024,342  32 

1828 

140,145 

00 

1,575,000  00 

25,636  24 

6,196,853 

1,741,381  24 

1829 

295,717 

50 

1,994,578  00 

16,580  00 

7,674,501 

2,300,875  50 

1830 

64.3,105 

00 

2,495,400  00 

17,115  00 

8,357,191 

.3,155,020  00 

1831 

714,270 

00 

3,175,000  00 

33,603  60 

11,792,281 

3,923,473  60 

1832 

798,435 

00 

2,579,000  00 

23,620  00 

9,128,387 

3,401,055  00 

Coinage  oj  the  United  States.  lO") 

COINAGE   OF  THE  UNITED   ^TATY.^.— Continued. 


Whole  Coinagb. 

Tear*. 

Gold,  Value. 

Silver,  Value. 

Copper,  Value. 

No.  of  Pieces. 

Value. 

1833 

$978,550  00 

$  2,759,000  00 

$28,160   00 

10,307,790 

$  3.765,710  00 

1831 

3.954,270  00 

3,415,002  00 

19,151   00 

11,637,643 

7,388,423  00 

1835 

2,186,175  00 

3,443,003  00 

39,489  00 

15,996,342 

5,008,067   00 

1836 

4,135,700  CO 

3,606,100  00 

23,100  00 

13,719,333 

7,704,900  00 

1837 

.1,148,305  00 

2,096,010  00 

55,583  00 

13,010,721 

3,209,898  00 

1838 

1,809,595  00 

2,315,250  00 

53,702  00 

15,780,311 

4,178,547  00 

1839 

1,375,760  00 

2,098,636  00 

31,286  61 

11,811,594 

3,505,682  61 

1840 

1,690,802  00 

1,712,178  00 

24.627   00 

10.558,240 

3,427,607   50 

1841 

1,102,197  50 

1,115,875  00 

15,973  07 

8^811,968 

2,233,046  17 

1842 

1,833,170  50 

2,325,750  00 

23,833  90 

11,743,153 

4,182,^54  40 

1843 

8,302,787   50 

3,722,250  00 

24,283   20 

4,640.582 

11,967,830  70 

1844 

5.428,230  00 

2,235,550  00 

23,987   52 

9.051,834 

7,087,767  52 

1845 

3,756,447  50 

1,873,200  00 

38,948  04 

1,806,196 

5,068,595  54 

1846 

4,034,177   50 

2,558,550  00 

41,208  00 

10,133,515 

6,633,965  50 

1847 

20,221,385  00 

2,374,450  00 

61,830  69 

15,302,344 

22,657,671   69 

1848 

3,775,512   50 

2,040,050  00 

64,157   90 

12,649,790 

5,879,720  49 

1849 

9,007,761   50 

2,114,950  00 

41,984  32 

12,606,659 

11,164,695  82 

1850. 

31,981,738  50 

1,866,100  00 

44,467   50 

14,588.220 

33,892,306  00 

1851 

62,614.492  50 

774,397  00 

99,635  43 

28,701.958 

03,488,524  93 

1852 

56,846,187   50 

999,410  00 

50,630  94 

32,964,019 

57,896,228  44 

1853 

55,213.906  94 

9,077,571   00 

67,059   78 

76,484.002 

64,358,537  78 

1654 

52,094,595  47 

8,619.270  00 

42,638  35 

44,645,011 

60,756,503   82 

1855 

52,795,457   20 

3,501.245   00 

16,0,';0  79 

16,997,807 

50,312,732   99 

1856 

59.343,365  35 

5,196,670   17 

27.106  78 

33,870,960 

64,567,142  30 

1857** 

25,188,138  68 

1,601,644  46 

63,510  46 

19,440,547 

26,848,293  60 

1858* 

52,889.800   29 

8,233,287   77 

234.000  00 

56,491,655 

61,o57,088  06 

1850* 

30,409,953   70 

6,833,631  47 

307,000  00 

53,550,522 

37,550,585  17 

1860* 

23,447,283  35 

3,250,635  26 

342,000  00 

27.101,598 

27,039,918  61 

1861* 

80,708,400  64 

2,883,706  94 

101,660  00 

23,724,713 

83,093,767  58 

179.3  to 

1S61 

$6fi9, 116,406   62 

$128,159,481   97 

$2,647,478   55 

800,  662, 475 

$799,923,362   14 

1862* 

61,676,576  55 

3,231,081    51 

116,000  00 

28,296.899 

65,023,658  06 

1863* 

22,645,729  90 

1,564,297   22 

478,450  00 

51,980,575 

24,688,477   12 

1 864* 

2:!,982.748  31 

850,086  99 

463.800   00 

46,983,396 

25,206,635  30 

1865* 

30,685,699  95 

9.)0,218  69 

1,183,330  00 

87,323.851 

32,819,248  64 

1866* 

37,429,430  46 

1,596,646  58 

646.570  00 

38,427,923 

39,672,647   04 

1867* 

39,838,878   82 

1,562,094   18 

1,879,540  00 

54,110,384 

43,281,113  00 

1868* 

24,141,235  06 

1,502,986  48 

1,71.3,385  00 

40,735,840 

27,447,606  54 

1869* 

32,027,906  03 

1,574.937   17 

1,270,055  00 

36,606,668 

14,881,958  20 

(870* 

30,103,304  75 

2,670,054   16 

611,445  00 

23,961,29- 

33,384,863  91 

1862  to 

1870 

$802,531,629    88 

$15,598,002  98 

$8,371,575  00 

417,486.828 

$826,496,207   81 

1798  to 

1670 

$971,648,036   45 

$143,752,484   95 

$11,019,048  55 

1,218,149,803 

11,126,419.569  96 

'  Six  months  to  June  80, 185T.    ♦  For  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  80. 


110 


Daily  Price  of  Gold,  Year  1862. 


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Daily  Price  of  Gold,  Year  1863. 


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CI  CI   CI  ps^  CI   CI 


—If  s  Hoc-'lx-'|.)«ntao-l'Nn|x  s  -ctonlx      Hx-l-jttl-r  s        — bi-bi-hi-fcinl-?  s 
*  -/^  ;o  CO  -.s  ;o  in  m  -/--  in  m  in  -t  in  rf  ./^,  Tf  ci  (51  -^  -r  -t  r/:  OO 

•'■^  f^i   'ri   ^1   r\\   r\\  fw  ^-^   ir^  r^\   n^\   rst  rst  r^t  -'-'  cl  rv|  ^'  CI  CI    CI  CI 

ot 


CI  CI  CI  CI  CI  CI    CI  CI  CI  CI  CI  CI 


W9- 


.  -Ifl^lnrJI-j^mx      -I'M    .  >cIxHm-I-jHx      •A'H    ■  nlocnlxf^l-jHxHrt-lx    .  -I'M^il-KOl'^mi')' 
>^C5  X  —  —  CO  CI  >^— ^  —  cs  CO  CO  in  >.in  t^  »n  co  co  in  >»t^  t-*  1^  t^  Oi 

SCOCOCOCOCOCO    "COCOCICICICI    CSCICICICICICI    7:  CI  CI  CI   CI  CI 


-I'M  dx-l— -k 


•W  3  -I-*        -IX 


-l-Mnl-^Hani-r  ~  -\-r-<pi~>i-»Na>-*n* 


1^  -*-*-»■*  ■*    -''t   ■<t'<t'^-<t'*    sS-*Tj<r)'Tt^'d<Tf'    'S''^   ■*  ■*   rf  ■*  "t  JZ'"*  ■* 


ni'vnw  Hx 

CO  CO  CO  CO  CO  in  • 
■^  ^  ^  ^  ^  ■^ 


Hco-brtt-l-f-li'  s  -fcrM-^nloonlx      -I-  —  nlooMlx--lc«l>»«l-i 
!   CI  a  —  —  CI  ./-,-*  I-  in   CO  CO  CO  r/-.  CO  CO   CO  ■*   -t 

•    «44    ^r    v^     *^    v4*    -^-^     v4i    v4i    v44    v4«    v4i    v^    -''' 


tJ*   ^   ^   ^   't   ■^ 


^    ^    ^    ^    ^    ^ 


; ^I'M-lx 

-»-    CO  CO 

J^  ^  ^ 


.  —i-q*       lOteo-lxHx— If 

>.co  in  -t  CO  m  in  : 


-ImHx    •        -10      nlx-l-M-l-r    •        -I•r^cl1-1x  .        -I-n  m--l'N 

—  o  >-.o 1"  1^  -f  c  >>ri  C5  r;  o  o  o  >.o  o  05  o  c-.  ct> 

in  in   c5  in  in  in   i  in  m   s  -r  -^  ■*  m  m  o   :;  in  •<t  ^  in  tj-  "* 

■3  «?  "3  -3  "=  "J 

=  S  C  C  C 

rtif i-lx  3  -if-ln-lf -IfuSx        3  -I■^l^c>:^:l■*^:l■1«l1«l•!•  -  r:l-»Hoi^«)xrtl-— I-n-Im  3  n|•f-b»o^rI^I'^>-ltt-lx  3 

O  C5  VD  20  *   ^>   -f  ^1   ~  -/-J  X  X  Ci  C-.  C5  crs  .7,  C.  X  X  X  X   X  rr-   -f  CO  CO  5*  -J  -t  yj 

in-*-^"''t-*ininin-j<-'''-*-<f-*'*Tt-*^-''t-t-*-*T)'Ti-^"''*-*-*i£"*^ 


nif 


Cl^      —loi-lf    •  Hx-lTi  — Ix    .  ■<■Jx^tw       rtl-»r;lf^lx    .  nlf      — 

«*  t^  CO  in  >->ci  CI  t^  X  05  CI  >.r-  in  -f  co  co  ci  >~,o  t^  t^  o  ci  •*  >.co  o  o  -j 

»(5ininin_rtinin't-r^in   :;inininininin_«in-T>-*ininin^inininQ 

s                "3                              "S  "c  c                ^ 

nlx-l-j'      rtiT  3             -l^-bi-'l'>>-l'N  3  -If-lf  3  c^lf      nl-fflla>-l'M        3  _  ■"»_    to 

CO  CO  CO  -t  -/-,  —  o  1*  CO  CO  ::  ./-  t^  in  CI  CI  CO  —  ./-  X  cc  in  X  —  CI  ,-r,  O  o  o  c3 

in  in  in  o  -'-'  in  in  ~i  ^  Tt  in  -'^  in  in  in  o  in  in  ''^  -^  -^  -^  —  ■"  "^  ■'~  -*  -^  "^ 


'  in  ■*  in  ^ 


Hx      Hx    •  iclx 
„  „   .,  ^.  ^>.-  ...  „  w  -.  ~   - .-.  -.  -J  i.n  in  •*  >%co  i-  --  -V  -I     r, 
-.1-.^    coininin  csincoin-ocoin   ccinininininin  C3in'**^*n'*n''n' 

-3      4*  -3  -3  "S  •-> 

3       nix  nl-»  3  rti-      Hx-l'NHxnj--  3  -lwd3t>-lo«-lx-l'Nt-|x  3       -liM-lf       _  ■:J?'  =  it'Tj?' 

'''-'r^t^coinininin-.oini-ninin"'-'inininininmin'^'tJ.-r'T       ■^■^ 


.  -I'N      -wHx-I'M-lf    .  n!fr:if      --l'^^t-l««l■«•    .  1*0      -I'M      nl-jnl-*    .  Hx-liWCIXMl-s- 

>-,i-  in  I-  I-  t^  I-  >iin  CO  CO  -t  in  m  >.t-  cs  —  ■^  co  ci  >.■*  —  Si  r'  r*  i2 
cjinoinoinin  ciinuninminin   cSinmcccooco  cscor-«rr-r-i— 

"S  3  —  "2  "3         *^ 

3  nlTi—lc»  nl'«— Ix-nto  -  -If-l'fl^bi-lQC-b^-l'N  3  ■mx-"!')'  -I«-Ix-i'n  3  ftif  -bi-Jji-flte-lM 
r/^co■^^-cot^co-?ln<il^Cl-1>l.nlnr/-,lnx— .--coci./--r(»-- cnoj-- 
"-'  in  in  in  in  in  in  ■''  in  ■V  i-n  in  in  m  ''-'  i-n  m  CO  CO  CO  CO  -"-  CO  CO  t^  CO  CO  i~ 


•mm-*   .       -l<N     into-lf        .  -w-if     -If   •-lf„-H' 1"' >• -'"^t^'i^Ti'A 

^•co  -r  >»in  't  in  CO  X  a>  >-.ci  tc  1^  x  t^  t^  >.x  «xxxo»   ';•—  't'J^v;© 
5*   »co   acocococococo  cj"*'>t'<t-t-*'t  r:  't  -^  -^  -r  -t  t   cJinini-ni-nm^ 


O  *A  '^X  —  -cto 
*^        c^  -i^   t*  -^ 

'— '  M  CO  -'-  CO  CO 


-lf"*Dnl^(Hx  3  nil      — 1«      — |iNt-lx  3  r-|o!>-'l'Nnlf-b»-*?'nlf  3  Hx 


,-.  00  CO  CO  CO  CO  o» 

^-'  -^  in  in  in  in  in 


«(Nco-f««.-<»«o;^222i22i:*2§5;Ss5Si*iSc5c5?i«« 


112 


Daily  Price  of  Gold,  Tear  1864. 


Oi  whf         .  rtl'.xcl-f      *|  MiotMlf    .  -<|»»-'l<>M<NMI'<!«liWiloo   .  «!♦  H««l-*       2   ^'  Hac-liM-loo 

<M  «  -^   >~>o>  rc  «  i!  (M  Ci   t-,t^  in  >c  i^  -^  c   >-.t^  t^.  to  ■*  ■?!  -M   S   ^fC  -♦•  m  c:  t^ 

-'lr~l"»"lt  s  H'N      -'lc>-loi  -;  —loi-l'jmlaH'Nm-j— 1x  -  rtl-t— I'M-!-*      —iTWlK'n  "c  O  -1^  -.|«i 

''^OOOr/^^-OOQ<?>C3-t,/^'MCO^;-tC^O-/-3'IC'^l  —   OO  —  ■—^•^(M^DtJ- 
C'I  CC   ^1  ^■'   (M   rD   W  C^  CC   CC  ^^  t?   r?  CC   or   C?   CM  "'-'   ~   CI   !ri   CI   -M   !M  U  "~  ^  —   :>l   (M  !M 


—  o  ;o  00  -^    >,ir!  Cj  X  w  "t  'n    >,-o  ■^  C  tc  CT-.  in    >-.       --  -.  ,-._.„ 


W  (M 


-l-Mjr  rtl--hl  -  -|r- 

— tc  ' 

(M  r? 


'If 


5*1 


3  -"I")— If      nit  s        nl<»-ltt-lx      -<l-f  s  -'lr—'i-*-b>-lrmloi>-l'M  —  -•i-?«l~mosr-lx— tn 

^  ,-A  ft  O  CT!   CI  00  to  '/^  «0  00  CI   «   00  C5  ,'/-)  00  O   t^  iD  t~  ff~.  -/^  CI   -»•   CI   -1-  i-O 


'z^- 


-■lOlplI  -'I'M     .  "■!«         rtit  —I'N 

CC  "2  ^    >-"«  CI   CI  —  SC   00        .    _  _    _.    _  _._..___             .       _  .             _       _ 

•^vi'f   c5  "*  -*•  -t  -t  CO  CI  r;  CI  CI  CI  CI  CI  CI  ;;  CI  CI  CI  CI  —  —  c:  c»  w  o 

«            c                              e  c                              C 

^  —I'M        3        — l'^^t-lxrt-»^lx        3  — I'N-'fri—I'M-'l-— 'teHx  —  t-lx  3        —I-!'      -'It, 

«  00  --o  r/N  in  o  o  ir;  -f  00  -7^  CO  t^  ft  «  -r  c  ./^  tc  fo  C  <o  —  o  [/)  >n  CI  xi  -I- , 

■*   t1>  CO  ■'"'  CO   ■*  -f  CO   CO   —  ■'-'   —  —   CI   CI  CI   CI  -'-'  CI   CI  CI   —  >-  O          O  C-.  Ci  C:  < 


— I'^^-<I■M  ^  -It^     •  -bj-l'N— br^lt-hi-lt    •  Hxrtlt  HocHct    .  —It-'lt      n't  •        O 

C5  X  00  s*— '  !7  >,ci  m  in  co  t^  to  >-,--o  to  t^  00  t^  t^  >-.i^  «  r^  m  to  co  ^.m  co  co 
m  in  in  ^  to  >P  ci  in  in  in  in  in  in   c:  in  in  in  in  in  in   c;  in  m  m  in  m  in  c:  -t  —  "i* 

"       —I'M  2  -<'>^lt  3  nit-4'M-'b»-lxHx  Ix  3  nif-'^ixnit  —I'M  3  Hx-4cicHx-H'>«l»       H  -4tW 

—  to  to  ,--  t^  C5 ,-/-,  to  CI  -)■  CO  m  -*  ,r/-,  in  10  in  i^  r^  o  r/^  o  t^  rc  •*  CO  in  ,/-,  in  jA  -^^ 
m  in  in  H^  in  in  '^-'  in  m  in  in  in  in  ^'  in  in  in  in  in  in  ''-'  in  in  m  in  in  r*  -'-  CO  ••  CO 

®  .     •       -"!»)      —I'M         .  .  -  —It    •  — I'Mni-nit      nit         .  nlt-<^<-lt      —I'm 

"^  o  t»,  t>%o)  —  CO  to  in  >-,>(?  CI  CO  00  to  •—  '--..—  X'  CO  o  t^  to  t».x  o-.  t^  cj  co  »  >. 

^^in  c5  ri-+cot^t^t--  c3n#)Xi^tointo  cttotototoinin   — inininininin  c3 

»»c—  c^  3  3  d 

T«         3    3  nit        3  nit  —I'm  3  — liH^)      — I'M— I'MnIt  —  cilomlt  3 

^Or/^i—iinoocitoOrT^to  —  xcOT*<xr/5-tx— ■tocc0r/-.'nr---)'''*ocorr) 
'^  CO  ■'■'  "^  CO  ■^  to  to  to  '''-^  t--  I-  to  in  -^  ■*       in  m  to  in  in  in  ''-'  m  in  in  Tf  in  in  ^-^ 

-It        -I'M  .  -|5)        -ll"lt«lt  .  -I'M        mt-ltr-IX-I'M     .  -It  ^*    _    _   ft  _       • 

Oi  — .  CI  —  >-,•■*  -r)!  n  00  00  CO  :>-.to  X  t^  r^  to  in   >-.ao  x  o  co  r^  o  >-.0  C  ?T  O     • 

xcsOJffj  oscsoicsascsoi  Koc-.csasoso  crciococi  —  ci  c^-^'-tiTin     • 

«  3  3  3  3  ^ 

— l'Mr^lX>-ltnlt  3  —I'M  — I^M-M  3  nlt^?lxnlt         lOlQ^-'lt  3  3  • 

*»  05  o  o  -r,  CO  CI  CO  in  X  -f  -r  m  to  to  t^  to  in  r/-  X  ev  o  >n  CO  'f  r/;  --  •<*  m  in  • 

■Z  X  en  Cl  '''-'  Oi  135  O  en   ~.  C>  -''  S".  05  C-.  C5  C  05  '''-  O  C-.  —   O  —  f     -^  CI  CO  CO   -t      • 

.  nloKiit-h'Wlxinltt-lx    .        -I'M-lt-ltr-lx-lt    •  rtit      -lt«*c-l'M-lt    •  -nix      Hx-kM-lt  .  f;!QCH?i 

>.t^  O.  05  t^  to  CI    >->— •   X  to   -*  CO   CI    >-,C0   X  —  —  —   CO    >.CI  to   Tj-  CO  to   X    >.M  O 

cst^t--.  t^t^     t^  ct^wt^i^i^t^  e3i^i^xxxx  c:  00  CD  X  <x>  CD  (c  r:  Soi 

■3    ->                               -3                                     '3                                     rs                                     TS  W> 
3    ^                                      3                                             C                                             3                                             C 
3             nit-lt      nit  -  n^t      -It                  3  -1^           -^'M      -I'm  3       -I'MnIt                   3  _  _ 
r;,tor^xt^-tcir/-c5nf)-<troOiMr/icot^  —  —  —  —  r/^clc^■^cototOr/^oog 
'^t^t^t^t-r-.r-.^oSt-.i-.Si-^r-i^XXXX^-XXXXXX^-'xoO 
■ 50 , 

-I'Wilt    ■  ■ntxnlt>*D  'Tin    .  -if      nit-l-n't-lt    •  -It      -I'm-I'M      -I'm    .  Hr^      -I'm-wHx  • 

X  to  ^-.to  t^  o  — I  s  —  >->ci  in  m  i~  CO  CO  >->—  x  t-  t^  -t  t-  >.*»  tJ  "  S  — ;  O  • 

too  tstotot-i^t^r-  est— t^t^t^t—  i~  c;t-.tO!Otor~t—  cSilooxxxx  • 
^       rs                               rs                               'g                               "g* 

-I'M-I'M  3 -Iturtxnlf'-JTM'M-I'M  3        nltinkD      -I'm        S -I'm  Hx-^'mt-Ix  -        -It      Hx      --bi  • 

eftto•/^tot^xoo5  0■.  ./^— icointoco— rcot^t^oco-tv;^  —  :^L~"*?  ' 
X  to  -'-'  to  to  to  t-  o  to  -''  t-  t-  t-  I-  1-  I-  ^■'  r-  to  to  to  t-  t-  ^''  t-  X  00  t~-  r-  t-     • 

J5 . 

•Htc      -+mHx    .  nlt-l-«ltnltnit         .  m-nlt      -I'M      --Iim    •  -i-»-Ix-I'm-I'm^  nit    .  -4m      -It 
00-"  —  —  >»—  CO  1-  ■^  -^  CI  >-.c  CI  CI  —  CO  CI  >.co  w  in  to  t-  ft  >.to  <o  t  »ft 

tOtOtOtOtO  cStOtOOtOtOtO  cttOtOtOtOtOtO  oStOtOtOtOti^Sk  c3tOtOCOlO 
„  rs  "3  TJ  '^  ?P-3 

^3  3  3  1-^  C 

•nl(i>-l'M-1i-nx  3  nit>*o      nitJ*^-i'M  3  -^jiHtwIaHas      "nice  s  '-I'C';^^-!-       £  -^J"  3  "^^  'jJ^'Hi 

*^intototototototDtotootbtototbtototototo^KtotocDto;o 

nitnto     -H~lt         ■  -l-«it— I'm-I'm-i-«»x   .  r'x  -Ix-moo-it    .  -itrtt-I'Mt^iTnloc-jji    •     •     •     • 

I-  t-  X  X  X  05  >%05  o:  C5  cr.  — .  05  !>-.0  ^  O  O  X  05  >,05  t^  12  «o  *  *  ^*  ■  *  ■ 
inminininincainoininmin-torrotooincsininininininrt    •    •    • 

-h»-ltnlt«ltmltHx  3  nit<rix      r^!x      -I'M  3  Hx-l-t-lxi-lx      -lac  3  -l-j—lt-ltHt-I'M-ta  -     .     .     . 

*»   l~   I~    I-   1-   (■-  r/^    X    O)    05    O;    05    0  ,-/■     01    —    05    O!    X    05  -/^    X   t^   I-    X)   I---    I-  QO       •       •       • 

r  in  in  in  in  in  ''-'  in  in  in  m  in  m  o  to  in  in  in  in  -*'  in  in  in  in  in  in  ~-  •  •  • 
>ra 

.  Hx    •  Hxr-lxr-lx-it—lorHx    .  -I'M-ltr-lTHx-bM'M         '■wriQoHx      mlxuite    •  Hx--l--jer-ltHc»Hoc    • 

t-^c.)   t^,_ CI  CI  CI   >>ci  -+  CO  -c  m  to   >->.    ft  X  r-  r-  -^   >.r-  ««•-';;  fr   S* 

cs  1'^   r:  in  in  m  in  in  un   ::  in  m  o  in  in  in  cs  m  tT  in  ift  in  in  c:  in  in  m  in  in  in   «s 

:h  s-x  "2  -2    >*  £  ^ 

"o  Hx  =  -l'>n5ix>-l'Mr-|xnitt-lx  5  c-.lxn'-ni-tilx-lt-i'M  3  -lx-lt-l-—ltnlt  3  "*o„  Hanitnit  3 
HH—  .7^^  —  •—  —  —  —  r/^cico?7-tininr/-c5oxtotot0'/jt^xr-r2too>; 
i-H  in  -'-'  ^  in  in  in  in  in  '''•'  m  m  m  in  in  in  ^'  in  in  m  in  in  in       in  m  in  »o  m  m 

Ira ^ _„ _ 

>^(Ne3Tj<«r5«o»-.0005O  —  cicoM"intot->xoiO  —  cico-tintDt--goo5C-; 


Daily  Price  of  Gold,  Year  1865. 


113 


r-  t^  (-/)  i^  00  to  "— I  in  't  -/-,  ■■  f  -t  m  _  -. 


Ix  s  -l^mlx      rt-ft-tx-li'  S  '' — IccHanloo 
^  -/-,  O  O  O  ».'^  o  irt  -/-  -C  o  »^  it:  irr T 
^-^  ,*  .^   -*-*-*■-*  "'-'  rj  ■'^  ^  T^   T^   -I* 


'-*-*-(•-*-(■-»•'■ 


m\Tf      — !■<•    .  H'NnlotCTlooMH'mi^lx    •  HxHocnloo-'l')' 
o  to  r*  r^   >^r^  t^  t-  ^  tr*  «I5   >-it~^  ^  t!  " 
■^  ^  ^  ^   ^  ■^  "^  ^  ■'^  ^  ^   ^  ^ 


Hx 
r^  t—   >-,t-  t^  r^  1^  t^  i^ 


>^-^  -t  to  r^  ^  ! 

f^     .,44     '««     -*44     ««    »*     ■ 


*"»tD   'C   iC  »0   'O    "^ 


^   "^   ^    ^    ^   ^ 


rn  •*  ■^  ■**  '-^  '-O  '-0  '/^  m  -^      _ 


I  -^  '^  -:^  -t 


inla>rj|oo  3         n]^       c^lco       Hoc  2  Hx       rtlT.rtl-^^l'M-'lr'  ::  — I'mHx 
-+   "f  ,-/^   »0  iC   O  CO  CD   irt  .'A    ii^   CO  i-'^   "^  lO  »C  ^/-   O  iO 

•4a     *4a    '''^     ~4*     «A     •Ai     ««      .«•     ^    '-'     v4a     — 4i     «4<     v4(     v4>     ^4*    '^■^     ■v4*     ^4« 


"^     ^     ^     ^      "J*     ^ 


'^     ^     ^     ^     ^     ^ 


'^  .s 


_u  ^   ^-.j'   •,   ..-    .     .     .    ->   .     ,   ...  .. ,    cc  -t  e?  CO    >.-)•  "t  •*  t  ^  T*. 


tA  .nloo    .  -Iti<«Ix       t-lx^:lfrl[-)'    .  ■nx-'rc?l.»r:l*-|.l— IT 
"^  -«    >.,Tf.  ^  im   -t  •*   -f    >.-f   -t  CO  ^    ro   71     - 


-It-It  3  «l-1'^3>-<^^ -I'N-I'M-I'M  5 -'■>«''»HX-Ix":lxr^l-  _       ,-      -       .    _  ^   „ 

-*-t-;^co^-*-*-1■-*-/^-tcoco^:■J»-^l,-/5COco?ocococo^/^cocococo'tc2 


'^    ■'^    ^    "^    "^    "^ 


■^    ^    "^    '^   , 


nlxr;!xHx'nlx-l-  s        «!-«l-t-|x       Hx 


HX:ClOO«!t-<l-«*^IX     .  — (QCrtlX'^la) 

"f  »ft  ■*  -f  f'    ^-^  m  ^^  CO  -N  ?!    ^ 


Hocrtla>Hx»otxinlx-'lt  •  inlxHxHaHx  tr;lx  *  —ltr,1x«lcocto 
-  .CO  — '  C'l  71  CO  ^  ^,'+  CO  00  CO  -t  •*  -:-^  -t  ^  ■* 
3->t't-*-t-*-*    cr^^t-*-*'*-*-*^'*'*"*"* 

«  "■  S  C  "c  'c  ' 

-4xr!l«^!lw  3  -ter:lxr:itr:l-f-lit-lx  3  -ItnloMxnIx-lt-'I'N  3  Ha-lt-lowMx-Jji        3  ■*'>^?"rL'^"i'' 
Tl<lnT^^.co^r,co-(•co'^^a=>^o7lO "^"c/on^S^SEiES^CCSSSiSt 


'  —It-Hoptlt-'lx    •  —I'N-'IX       — 10*-loo-lfM 


MlXOlxril'-'ClXt-IX 


6.,-IC^  !>>0  02  CJ5   O    >>0   O   (N   (M   CO   71    >%C0   CO  CO  71  71  71    i>-.co  CO   CO   -T  en 


.*  "tS 


li^coco-*    cSTf'f't 


iCIXt-IX     •  — ltWI-rt!X«!X        — iTI     •  'TIX 

7)  71   >-.co  CO  CO  -t  eft  >n  >  co 


■nix  -  ,^   O  -I'Mnlt-IX''*!)  3  -It-'I'N'-lxr.locmlx-lx  3  mlxHoc-'I'N  3  ■«o      HxHxnIt—re 

Ci  .;;  QB  >T^  05   00  05  CJ  rTi  0>  CT>  O  —   71  — •  ./^    71  CO   71   71   71  71  r^  71  CO  71   CO   -i   -t 
eo-C5(j3Hcocococo-'-'cocOTr-fTfTi<-'^-<t-*TfiTf't't''^-*T»"TfTi'Tj.T«- 


a:  2  •§ 


-"I-?!— IQO-'I^  rcit    .  t'loKCItrilx?:!!©— I'N-'lt    •  nlt^lxt^jxHxHxrtlt    * 

00  00  1  ~    S-,  p  71  71  J»  lO  m    >-.  CO  en  —  CO  71  71    ^ 


CJ     Tt    Tf     .* 

O  ?5lQor:ix  3  Ho^.'l.i'^lxrcl'.^x-'lt  —  —It^iH 
M  t^  -.o  r/i  1^  to  '.o  r^  t^  '^  ■      "  ~ 


CO  CO  CO  CO  CO  ' 


•t-*    cJtJ-co-*-*-*-* 


-Irirtlt  .fl]xHx»otao 
C  r~  O  —  O  —  , 
-J-  CO    -*■*■*  "* 


rtl^— <lx"5lx      Ho 
,—  71  —  OS  — 

^  ■^   ^  CO  "^ 


'  —lowIxBlaoHit 

Cl   —    CJ5   OD  C5 

CO  "*  CO  CO  CO 


MIX 

|A  -.|tc-lx-'l'W-lx>nlx    .  -■ltJ*cr:l--f:lxr:lx-'l-'    .  r:l-rMtnlt^rtx-'lt-lt  . 

"2711-icococo    >,cor-o—  ?0O    >-,0— 'SO— '—  >. 

^■<*-*r)i.*Tt   cs^-^cococococo   cicocococococo  CS 


,  .  :lxt-lx- 
—  71  -t 
CO  CO  CO 


00  y;  >..t^  oc  1^  ^ 

:  CO  CO  c:  CO  CO  CO  O 


-I'NHQC-ilt 

71  —  —  71  71 

■^  "^   ^  ^  "tj*  .^ 


«l*~lx  3  r:i-r:lt-<x-plxr;lx-tx  3  -it-1x«i.i— I'M^nlx-I'M  3 
"'-  CO  CO  CO  71  CO  2,  '  71  rO  71  71  CO  CO  ^' 


-N 


ecltrttx— l-MT 
C    —   71   I  .       .  ,,       - 

cococococococococo  » 


?t-lxHx  3        -■|.)»nte'  «> 
IC  in  rf^:  CD  t.-  cc 

.  ^.*    r^    f^\   r^ 


Hx    •  c^lt-lt  f^lx       —It^H     •  "^Ix  r:lt-lt  •        >~lx-3 

71    >iOO  00  •*  71  — 1  O    t>-,if5  t^  to  •-£>  lO  *     >^co  r-    u. 


HxHx    .    .  •      •  -bmlx    • 

CD   O    t»,  >•  2>71   Ci  t-  to    >> 

—  "TT  TS  TS 


3  r:lt:^lx 


-'I'Mrilx  3        HoMoHocnlx        3  mlowl 


.1,.^        -I, 


-t  .7^  o  to  00  O  r^  X  -^  ■*  to  ir:  -o  o  *  j/3  «  to  O  ,    t^  S  re  S  K  9  ll  !£  2  ':/3 


-t  T)<  -t  irt  -^  Tj«  ' 


^ 


-Irj-lt      nit 


'ofTo  5:^  >.a>  eT>  r-"to'  —  — "  >^--  mow  od'to  >-.t^"  db  06  1^  co  t^  >-.'2  "^  ^2  '7  "^ 

loio  ^  c:c>cncj5S505C5  cjo>oooot-.-toco  cstooicinvnm  csmmininm 


-"It— l'^)>«lX'ntao         —  r-lao       — IX'Otao-'bMc^  3  "Olxc^lt       -'l'^^-'l'?^lt  3 
C  |-~  to   CO  t-   Oi  r^;  >0   00  -*  71   71   ??  r/5  71   1!^   to   —  (»  CO  r/3 


O  35  31  CTS  00  00 


to  iC  iC  m 


CO  CO  —  31  -^ 

irt  in  o  Tt  in 


to  nll—lc^HOD    ■        sa  -I'M-it-I'M  •        ccl•'^-l'^)-•ltt~lxcclt    ■  —Itwlx-lt      -•I'm--Ix    .  >i*Kilt  • 

o  "O  35  -t"   >^.-<*  ^  rr  CO  —  35   >r''^  00  to  lO  -f  m   >-.7i  35  —  73  o  ^   >^—  co  • 

^OOpw    :;—•*— I ^0_rtOOOOOOc303:00035_200  • 

-I'WrtxnIx        3  -Hl-.«ifolx-'loc*t>-'lt  5  -itHoHocr.'lt-I'M        3  -•lt>nloo-lc«cltnlt-'lt  3  nit— 1^  • 

71  CO  m  35  .^  71  71  o  — '  O  if^  -/s  ir^  r^  in  CO  CO  ■*  V5  ^  {fi  ®  •*  *  **  tZ5  S?  —  ' 

0000  -'-'-Hf-H  —  —I  —  O'^-'  000000  -'^O55:03>053!''-'050  • 


c  — 


>->^  -t<  35  00  r~    >-.t f   -r   O   71  O    >>—  t-  r^   rf  t^  to    ^.^l   tj  r-  ^  ir;   ij    k;..^  ^ 

'3Wc0  717171    ■73717171717171    CSTI  —  — ■-"OO    cSOOOO   —   71_rt   —   r-( 


ccn: 


.nlOO-lt*'tXcn|X  3  rtl^*>-^'^^lt 

—  1^  to  to  ./\  to   71  35  r~  00  t 
CO  7J   71   71  ''^ 


nixnit  3  — I'NrtltH'N      nit—lt  3        H'>>.'lt 


35|-~OOt^rr)t^-tinOC— '35r/5nf)l 

OI71  —   —  —   -h''-'  —  —   —  OO05''-'^35OOO-- 


rtlX 

—  71 

—  O 


—  <7ICO-^lft«Or>-00050  —  71C0'<tint0r..Q035O— "71CO-#intOr^003) 


lU 


Daily  Price  of  Gold,  Year  1866. 


.  m^)wla>'*»nlt 


-ilo)    -  rtl-«Hoc—l'MHocrH|.)«H«    .  -'te«loc>nteuifcc<--|iinl'*    •  — Im  ^  HccmtotHot 


"*0  3  -'I'M?;lQ0«l0[«|-fl-i|-'JCOto  3 

O  r/1  O  O  00  00  00  t^  r/-,  I 


"*  "    "    "    "  ■ ,'/-,  t~  t^  ^  ■*  «  <^^  r/)  TO  ^  irt  f— I  CO  CO  r/-  « 
i''-'cocococoo5co''-^courjWcoco'''co 


iCtofllocHx    .  *olacv:(ao-'l'3«-t|conio&-<|(N    •  «l<r»o|fX)      Hac-'lc^— lr» 


to  ;0  I  ~  fyj  t^  (^  t^  :D  O   't  -/I  '^   '^  ■*   to   0   -H  rri   o   C   05  >_  00  00  •/■    00  O  C 

t   ^-^    *«     v«    'v*    '.^t     «44     ^^   ^-^     ^4<     -^    -*»*■.*     ^4<   ^-^     ,*     -^    CO  /^^     »-.^    ■'-'     ^v^     — ta     ^. 


■^    ^    ■^   ■^    ^    ^ 


^    '^    ■^    '^    "^    ^ 


.— .    i-r>  >^    or,   n<-,   .,    00  O   O  l-T"   O       • 
CO   -^   •*  ►^   -^      • 


C£>  00  00  00  Ol  ai    >->J»  OV  —  CO   CO  »■(    >-,C0   OCfcOOCTio     t*^DI^OO0O0OCCi    >-.tD  tD  CO 
'^T^-^^+iT+i^*    p^-rf^Ktriirtif^^    rt»^»rt'^T*«-^-4*    ^-T^*-**^*^*^*^*    (r;**-**»4* 
W5  ^3 


r)<Tji'*'*Tt<-*    cS-^-^oino, 


c3  in  in  rfi  ■*  ■>*  .^  cj'-*  ■'t'^^'*'^  oiTjiTt-* 


■olQO-'I'S-to-ilcentoHx  3  -nto-il-*— to      --(o«to  3  nlotwlcc-lo)  Hx  —  -^tomloo      —I*      >olx  3  ^5|■»'      Hoc 

GOcooo,-/3CO»CTi— '0'Mr/-)Ot~i^oot^in-/-,ifti*t-cDr^inr/-,  >n;Cin 


•<t  -*  •*  o  m  in 


in  -^  -^  T}^  -^  Tt 


•*■*■>*•* 


-loo    •  «l'*«l'*-ta)-i|i'      Hoo    .  nl'JHx-l-jHoH'N  .  -'bHx-l'^HQO      Hx    .  Hx-Qtac-il-jvHa-^IcMiN  .  • 

t^  >-,in  to  t^  to  o  *•  >>50  t£>  to  «£>  in  ift   >-.in  in  m  in  rj<  co  >-.in  ■>!•  in  m  in  «o  >^ 

^*     (?3^^t<^H^*^*'..     -*^*l^*T*»44-*4<^rH     ffr--*,**^*^*^***     (ri^*^*^*-**^4<^f*«     (Si 


■*     CS    ■*   Tf    Tt"    Tf    ■* 


^-5 


J  ^  ^  "^  ^  "^  ^    CI  ■^  T^  ^  ^  ^  ^    c3  ^  ^  ^  tJ*  ^  ^   ^ 


-4ei  3  rtl^Jw*DHccr5l^«fltao-'l'j*  3  — l^jHoo-tjcr^l'^^^lxr-l-^  3  rtl^t-thi      Ho>-*?»-<l^  3  -Hh*H|,j*-.iT.c3|-f*t-|x»olaD  3 
o  r/-,  •*  in  o  in  in  to  -/-)  o  in  in  in  -t"  -f<  r/1  "*  "*  "^  ■*  W  *S  rA)  W  •*  •*  -*  -r  in  r/) 


'I'     ^     ^     ^    ^    ^ 


^    ^     'I*    ^     "^     ■'^ 


■^     "^     "^     ^    ^   , 


■^    ^     ■^     ^    ^    ^ 


-taml^Hoo         •        Hx      Hx-*o 

0»   X'   »  00    >-iOO  1^   Cft   00  00   05        .  _      _ 

'Cloo^lx«l'}Hx  3  -loo'ito      —bi-ilQC— l-N  3  -iloc-iltMoOTlaHaOTlx 

■^     T*     T*     •^    "-' 


"-I'W-l-r-'I'i^lxril'j"  .  P!l-«— 'lt«to      «!■«  .  — l-nlxHxHoc 

ci  O  Ai  01  — c  — ■    >,oo  00  02  —  O  00   t^,oo  (T.  00  oc  00 

-*  ir>  ^'  I 


ininm   cSTji-^-^inOTtc;-*-^'*'*-* 


_  HocMccc^lQw^lQcHaHx  3  -•I'MrtlxHac^lcrpiIoo 

t-  r^  00  00  00  00  r/1  n  C5  o  —  O  CO  rP,  00  »^  i^  ci  00  CO  r/~,  cfl  00  00  I--  I  - 


^5I■<^■ 
.  lA  -.!■*    •  c^Ico^l^i'-'loi    .  --<Io:rtl'f''3tor:H-i|r^:^|-j.   .  e^)-K*:|TjM'Mcol''tf)aio|aD    .  H-t»flIxHx      eolxcoloo    •        ^\^ 
>~>^i  CO   >-.co-f-*   >-.co050— icool   >-,cs  —  0000   >.—  0000  c    >.oo  o» 
rtVTin   cSininin  csin-^inminin   cs-^minminin  osinioinininin  c-^Tfi 

c  ^      S  a  c  c  c 

3  CIIOO  ClX)  O  HlNMl'JMlOO  3  cllQO-'l'j«l*tH«-^l'*  3  i^Xl  Hxttl*  r;  e^ICO        -<|lM-i|'>!t~lx  3  CJlOC 

r/5  CO   ■>)  -rt    -M   CO  CO  r/3  —   00  Oi  0-.   W   'M  r/^   CC  C5   05   O  O   S>  rr    O   O   05  C2   O   C  f/-  »»  «:■ 

^-'inin'^inininin''*-<jiTj<in»n'-'''-*-*-*in-*->t^'inin-*'*rj'in^'iaTj. 


^  inix     •  voloDHx-'l'Mr:!'* 

-— .  >i-fcoinin  —  o 

W     -a*       Ti      „M     -mM     «41     «4«     .^     i.^ 


,»«  -r  CO  o  C;  CO   >-.co  r-  CO  -t  m  -f 
c:cO"*-*-*'*co  c;J^inininTj<in  crminmininio 


r^ 


pq      5 

o  O  -r)  O  CO  •*  ■M  »  01  r/^  i^  —  ■><  in  I )>  r/-|  m  05  —  00  00  —  >•/-)  (T)  -t  -t  —  CO 

H»--*i-'-'-l--ii-*--4*r.^^^^-«   *7    -.4,  .^44     ,4,    .,44    lr^    '-'-'   »r^    -4.    irv    -*.    .-*    .^  ^-^    I 

(4 


J2;^- 


-^    -^    -^    Tji    CO    CO 


■^   ^    '^    tJ*   O 


m  Tf  lO  ^  Tf  o 


lf5   O   If;   O  irt   »A 


p:lQOHQO"^|ar^l-<j«    •  j-Iqo       ccl-^r)lx-'('N-<i')«    -  Hxrilx-'l-^j«-<I(iHcc-^x    •  -^l-'j^i'«*r-tQc?)Iot>-'['Nrt!-j'    *  HccHcv-Ioc 
t>-  GO  00  r^  !>-    >-»Q0   O  a>  0:1  Oi  ^    t*%C   00000    >^0  '^  00  cri  ^  O    >-.r-  CX)  00  O 

oi(MC^(NCN  73:^^c^^t^^{^^{^^'^^   c^cocococococo  cscocococo^co   cscococo-* 


^       ti 


kjk  -X)  1^  t--  r^  -/5  I-  00  00  00  00  00  rr)  O  cs  O  C5  Oi  O  rri  O  O  CO  t-  Ci  00  r/~,  r^  t^  00  00 
"i*  -TM  01   -^1  (TM  ''•^    01  rM   rvi   rM  (-M  CM  ^-^  (TO  rvj  <?ri   (?vi   fM  eo  '-'■^  ^opocricoeoco^-"* 


■M  C^l  ::^)  (M  ''-'  CI  G^  C^  C*J  G^  C^  ''"'  CO  CN  CO  C^  17^  CO  ^ 


CO  CO  CO  CO  CO  CO 


CO  CO  CO  CO 


•  Of)  Hco-Itjc-Ix-'IcoHco    •  HfN-'l-'t^l'Nr-loo      HiN    .        «!xi:'3lar5|aD-'l'»j'  •  HxHocHoo      nlct—cN    .  mloo    • 

>^^  00  00  t^  CO  t^    >-,t^  !X)  1^  1^  r-  ^    >-*co  to  t-  (^  t'-  r^   >>«5  ?D  r^  go  c.  ft   >.t--     • 
CiTlc^OltNCIG^    ^GSCICM<MG^C^    c3G^(M<MCJ(NG^    c;(N(NG^(M<Ni!^    ':i  o\      • 


i  -'I'J*:o|00Hi?*'T|Q0-'IO1 


*» 


9J  -o 

-•IoHqo      Hocrtl-^  3  Mlcr>-l'MP:Iflaol'j^l(M-'lci  3  --IcitntaceclaHxe^loc-'I'j'  3  Hx 

--    -         ._._._._._._         CO  CO  CO  t^  00  00  ,  -   ■" 

(M  (N  0>J  <M  CI   (N 


-clcmlxt-l^iolx      nto    •        -•l-«l'»-'lf    •  Hf 
„  >.,-    -r    ,-.-T.   ..'    ..i    .-.  —   — .     l-^^...  ^ w    -.C^  X  00  CC  00  CO    t».CD  X   »  QO    >.£» 

Wcoco  escococococooj   ojeowcocoeoco  ejois^ciiNs^s*)  c;c4(mc^(M^(M 


in  in  00  -/-,  -M  -M  CO  — I  o  CJ5  r/^  O  05  O  O  O  era  rri 

CO  CO  CO  ■'''  CO  CO  CO  CO  CO  ■?!   ■'  CO  C>1  CO  CO  CO  (M 


i^i-oct^r-     Ar/^incoi^t^T^i^ 
■      n  CO  g>,  5.,  J,,  j^  OH  5^ 


(M  <M   (M   (M   C>k 


Mri  ^loi-ito  .  -tloot-lxnl'ji-^'M'Oix-I'M  ,  T-|x'dx«Hxr:|QD-'l'j«  . 
^1  o  o  >%o  a>  05  o  o  a>  >>o  00  00  1^  t^  i^  i- 
^-t-f    •s-tcocO't'tco    cjcocococococo    ci 

■i  ^  -g 

■oloo-lx-;!")'  3  -i'M^!l-.i"l'j«l^-l*-bi  3  -^i-rrlxi'Hx-'I'N-'ltHx  3 

p»^   -<^    -^  '^.^    ry^   ^r^   rw^   rr^   n^   (V^  .'.'    -^   r^^   r^   r^   ^^   n«  ^-^ 


CO   CO   CO   CO   CO   CO  ■ 


CO   CO   CO   CO   CO   CO 


1^   1^  I~    ir~  t^    t-.l^   [;  t-; 

cocoeo'SWW  cscococo 


Hx^ci'fi^lx  O  HxHx  3  cil-tf-lxni't 

O  CO  CO  "r!  CO  1^  rr  co  o  co 
cococo'^coiicococo 


o 


•ClOD-'t'N-'l^tOl't  .  -<l'tMx?^lx-"IX-'l-*— Vn     .  C^I'JHQO^I'*'        c^'-1— ^X     •  n'OtM'Nr^X-'I^I         Hx 

'»*   -f   CO   (M   CO     ^—   0>   35   OT   OT    33     >-.a>  05   O    O    50   33     — .CTJ  33   C5   :?!   O   0>     I 

-*-*•*■*    "•I'cococococo   c:coco-*-*coco^cocococo'tco   ( 


HfHx— It 


-t  CO  '^^  c-i  —  -/5  ^  as  »  *  •»  3^  '1 

-4«   »*   -41  .,4.  **  ^-^  en  ^r  CO  CT 


"J*    ^    "1*    ■^    ^ 


3  e^lx  •olxrt('5*-la^-bi  3  yr'-'KCI^ftqlQP-'l -j '  ^^wlx  3 
-/^  00  33  33  CO  1^  -Tj  VI  X  '»"'  33  33  33  33  r/^ 
.'.^  /"^  m  r^  «^  w^  en  "*.•  pn  en  en  m  en  m  ^.^ 


eocococococococococococo 


nliwlxwlx 
33  C  33 

CO   •*  CO 


Daily  Price  of  Gold,  Tear  1867. 


115 


fc>-.t-  t-  *,  t-  I-  t~    >^r-  -JS  u^  -f  -C  t   >^t  >n  Tj.  -f  -*■  CO   >.cc  W    =  2;  3J  «    St- 2;  J2 

«Mco„««co  cjcocococo«w  Kcocococococo  oaeoco  Ccococoescjco 

c  c  c  c  •-•  c 

^-'eocoww«M^-'wMco2wco-'-'o««coww^^«c:o««co'^^cc« 


■o  ~  "o  's  "^  r^ 


-*M«lf"  3  m■«'-^'^^nla>-^lc^^:l*-•l'^^  3  nl-r      -^■mHoc-hImcK  3  nla>^'^^K*I>-^ccH3C-'l■»•  s  «l-»— l^;— 'I*  O  t-lot-lx 

O  o  -/i  35  CT>  cx/  x<  <»  Of)  -T)  00  C5  C5  Ji  C  02  ,yj  C-.  35  a;  C-.  00  c;  rr  c~.  Ci  CT-.  -r  00  r-^ 

■vM    *«  -*-»    ro    «^    n^    r*^    rr^   ^  "-^    iv^    ^»-^    /^^    ^^    .^    r^      '^    rf\    rr\    f^\    f^\    fr^    i-r\  ^-^    fi<'    e^    ly^   "^ 

w 


CO   CO   CO   CO  CC  ' 


cocococo-*cococococococo 


-^|^)^co'*o-•l* 


'     "  .    --  .       .  -  ^^  CO  CO  cc  c-i  iM    >-.(M  CI  —  O 


^|-^H(M-4<M-0l-*Ola)  ; 

CO  CO  ^     ■      -    j^     - 

^    "^    ^    ^    "^  "^    "^    ^    ^    ^    "^ 


Ml'*  3  inteHcmlcr>clai>n|QcmlM  3        H-xmlacH* 
„ ^.  -   CI  —  C  O 


■^  ^  ^  ^  ■^  , 


>-,_   -H   Ol    CI   -M    -M     >-,-t    rf   in 
^   ^   ^   ^   ^   ^   ^ 


rtlQD 

"-'■'-<  '^  '«  CO   >-i-*  Tt  in  vft  CO  CO  >.co  CO  Tf  CO  CO  CO  >iCO 


Tf-t'r?^-*'*    cJ->tTt"TC-*->t-*    C!-*  ■*  •*  -i"  rf  Tti 


a  —bl       -'l'f<-'l")i  3  rll-J-'l'NHD?ol»'5lxHx  3         Hcr:-4«       «!■<— 'I'M  3  Her— l'<*-'l-f       -'I'!'         3 

,/-,  _j  --  -H  <>i  CI  CI  -r,  c)  CO  ■*  lo  ■»•  -t  r/)  ■*-*''•••*  <^'  <^'  CO  <^'  <^'  ^  ^  ?2  ?2  02  52 


■>*■*■*  ^  •*  ■* 


— far:lQO-*N    .  -♦r«lQorto-<'N-l'*-.|*    .  c-hf      intaoclxm-it-lx    •  nl'tnl-jHx-'I't— I-* 


rAt 


-1Q0-2IX-W4    . -40)^Ix*1«-n'N-'l'*-'l'j'    .  «hf      »nlac>nlxr:1it-lx    .  ecl-^rrsl-'JHxH-'t— w  .^a— I'^^'.ix      — i-fr:iT 

•*■*-*      StI'-^tI'-*-^-*      STl'TtlTj'Tj'Tl"'*      CJ'*'^Tj<Tjl-!f-*      CC-t'tJgTJ'-t'-^ 


Hoo-^lx-Ix  3  Mco  3  -4oc»^3D?:lx^:!cD-<l'>nflbo  3 

ft  C35   O  ./-   O  O  O  O   O  O  r/5  ^  ^    — '  ■— •  ^  ^  — 

'•_      CO     -^    -'-'      •»*     -^     -H"     Tt<     -*     -^    '^-' 


M 


•<t^'1"^-*'t^-'-*-*'*^^--* 


1* 

CCri^—  —  CC'OOr/-,  O— '■—  —  —  — 


-I'W-l-^ril^  .  nloo-ilx  .  --ixt-lxnIiiHii-l-jmlijo  .  •nla>-l^»olx  -ilcrrtt  •  Htt  nl^»«l-f«Mnto  ^.  mknlxHoo 
00  00  CO  i'-.OJ  00  >->3!  00  Tj  c:  C3  C5  >.0-.  O  C  O  C  C!  >.C  O  C5  C5  Oi  C:  >.^  C  O 
cococo    cScoco   C3C0COC0COC0CO    cico-*'t-*"*cO'   cSTt-i-cococo-*   cr^'*'* 

KlQo3  nlTfrtl-*  3  -lojrito.oloM'N  tanl'>M*i>-iI'M.nlac>-i|f  3  >nlx«l•»nloo-'l•«-l'^«l•J•  3  _  _  'IL* 

nf|00«)-HX>00-/-)aO«)'3000<3>a»r/lCSCr.   0-.  O)O5i35r/-33  0".   C-.  cr.  OiOif/jOC^ 

TrcOM'^cocococococococo''^cocooocococo-''Cocococococo-*^co 
M  


.  »ntQO      ^olx      -^'tHoc 


-•krtl-'r:i^t-l--.|<!-.|^ 


___  Qooooooooo  t'loc  (Tj  rg\  aa  Oj  00  >-> 

CO  s'cocococococo    cj'co  cocococoeo    cicocococococo  cscocorjcococo^ 


tfl  -r,   ■■£>   X>   -^   -^    --O   --O  -/-,   to  t^  t--.  t^   t^  r-   rr, 


COCOCOC0COCO"^-'C0COCOCOCOC0 


t^  1^  1^  1^  1^  00  !•»- 
CO  CO  CO  CO  CO  CO 


00  oc  00  1^  1^  00  r/) 

CO  CO  CO  CO  CO  CO 


■xi  >n  --o  -X) 


t.""  '.-  '.-  '-  •-  t  it:  Li  2£  ac  £  ^  bl:; !:;;  S  '^  ?:; 


■aj  uj  -u  -u  .^(^  00  00  00  r^  -X)  i-.iT)  t^  (-  t~  1^  r^  >.t^  '^  °o  Qf)  -s  '^  "••_;  ■_;  :::x  "^  — 

COCOCOCO    cScOCOCOCOCOCO    CJCOCOCOCOCOCO    ^COCOCOii^^    KCOCOCOCOCO 


i-l»-i|<xr3l'*^tao  3  nlT(-i|*rtI.*-;|.,jf-|oi>-i|'N  3  -h|^j«oIo[>-i|!m      >clx«lt  3  '^x      HkHx-hI^nHx  3  -*r:lt      -I- celt 
■ii  lO  .r;  in  ./^  in  1^  1^  '^  to  in  r/^  »n  >n  to  t^  to  to  r/-,  to  t^  t^  00  t^  -^  ,/^  tc  to  r~  r;  ^D 

)2wcoco-'-'cocococococo''-'cocococococo'''cocoeocococo'^-'cococococo 


-||t"*xi-^'N-lx-elx-'Ix    •  ■ota^-'te<  .  nIx«olxi-lx«~lxHx-^x    .  Hxtcl-tHx.nlxrtl'tHx    • 

Th-*-l'CO:Oco  >->;OtDooi^r^tD  >-.m-»finr^'*05  >-.oooOp|if—  osi^  >^ 
cocococococo  scoco^cocoeo  ■seococoeococo  cicoco^-^coco_2 
e  "2  f  "c  "c 

mloo-^artl-*-'!'*-;!'*  f*o  3  ->faHxt-lx-l«ela>-'l'M  3  -I'M      •na>^]f      KH  3  -<''  „  •d?*j?  „  "J?  = 

co-*cococici. /-iCO'l'-ftoto  in-/-  ■*■*'*'"«*  f^cclrSSSSScc 

-     -     -     -     -'-'-'mtncocococA-'-'cocococoii'^'^WCocococo^' 


cocococococo'-'-'cocococococococococo 


,tc  to 

CO  CO 


•*  in 

CO  CO 


nix 


I  00  --o  in  ^ 

CO  CO  CO  CO  CO 


■^'co  cocococoeo    CICOCOCOCOCOCO   cscocococo 


M-«Hx 

CO  n  '■ 


-te)-<9)  3  Mxnlt-'io'rilx-'I'N 
oooo^/^ootomco**- 


-  nl-»>olxiinlxr;lao~lx        3        cclrHomla>-'l'!Hx  3  nl*-lxHx-'l-~ 
'/^-|'coco-^co-fr?^'*co-^>-^-t-tr/^coco-f-t 


CO   CO   CO  CO 


CO   «  CO  CO  CO   CO 


CO   CO   CO   CO    CO   CO 


HxrilM    .  nl-trjlx)f-lx      -It-I'N    .  rtl-*r!lxHiN-'l'>)r-lx  .  olt      -lonix    •  nH    ■  ■grnioc-^c-Mt 

in  to    >»r^  00  t^  CT5  00  t^   >.to  r^  r^  t^  to  1^    Xto  t^  t^  00   2'*   >.oo  3:  ©  3 

coco    cicowcocococo    rtcocococococo    scocococoJjC^    r:coco^i-T 
„        -3  r3  TS  ^        ^3  ^ 


H'Jfr-lx  3  e^to      --t-rwlx— l-Nt-lx  3  '-I'Nnlxrtl'jrtlTWlco-'l'N  3  wlce— f^^inlQcH^  C  -«l^  3  i^lx— I 
1*  in  -/^  to  r~  to  i^  i~~  to  -/I  to  to  to  to  to  to  r/^  to  to  to  r^  "^  00  r/-  -    " 

''*'  rn  '-'■^    ^y^   ^o   ri^   ro  f^o   (?o  ^•*   en   i-A   m   n^   ro   fv^  ^-^  ^^   ^o   ^^   n*  ■■■    ^^  ^-' 


cocococococo-'cocococococo 


i|*r»nlx 

r~-  00  35  Ci 

CO   CO  CO  CO 


-^OMlto-tai    .  mto-l'Nt-lxrMij-ltM^    .        -l-f  Hx         •        nit— l-««HocHxrtl-*  ^-  >c»»olxHxrtt 

S>-»co  in  -t  >n  s>-,in  f  ^  n  -f  ~f  t-^m  m  t^  1^  »•  1^  >%»^  to  m  -♦  -i-  -f   >,-+  -t  to  in 

-■----    —    --     ^  --    —   —   —  r«^  nn    'T*  r<^  (^^  fo  eo  "r  r<^  53  ffo  (r^  en  cr^  CO 

C9 


cScOCOCOCO    CJCOCOCOCOCOW     C5C0C0C0C0 


COCOCOCOCOCO    —   COCOCOCO 


O  rtlx      -^^^^x  3  — b«l-»moo«lt-'li*nlx  3  -l"!«l^^-l•^— ^'^>Hx        3  — I'Mnloo-loHooHoctrlx  3  coix      -rfxtclt 

aci^cicOr<^"^cococic»eO/-/i"*'*»-'5'«totOr/itoin-*-*co-*rr)tf-*-*'f 
co2«W'-'cocococococo^-'cococococoeo''-'cocococococo''-'cocococo 

OT 

'-oieO'*ifttot>-oossO  —  (Neo-*k«tot~-aoo»o  —  dcoTjiinto 


116 


JDaily  Price  of  Gold,  Year  1868. 


^     H 


» 

-^■>i^l-«*-l-«l'W5l'*    .  -l^-l-tcol-jHa-ltcsIf    .  >c■oc«|ocu5|^Jx-|ac-^'^«l-r    .  nlot>-l»i               •           .             Hoe 

'•O 

i2  ;2  ^  ""  O  ^"^  y;  o  o  ^  m   >>if;  .q  o  rf  ^  m   >,i--  m  m  lO  >-.io   >-.ift  in  ■*  lo 

cocococo^  «cowcocococo  CJC0C0C3C0C0C0  C3C0C0C0C0  Kco   =cococoeo 

P                                    ff                                    c                        '"■         P 

s 

Q 

k!  •-l'^'■*1^5l■«^:l-J•      -^I'N  .  •  niTni-*t-|.x-.|o)                .        u^inj-lx            cj^    .  .-ii-nHa-ilci    •  t^lcrnloj    .  nl-t    • 

1 

«COCOCOCOCOCO    KTOCOWSOWW    ci**cc.cOWM«    ci  w  ^  ?5    "^  ^    5'«      1 
a    ^                                    c                                         'OCT                                  rz                     73.               "^ 

> 

S        -It       nlco-loonlt  s  HQOTlQcn1tu*£t-loc-<lt  =  -loj-.l-t-i.x-1-r-ltrelx  n        -Ioi-I-n'o        mit  5  -to    • 

o 

12; 

00 

-to-to-l'N    ■  .--;lx-lt-'lt-l'>»-l->»-|x    .  -1^      r-te-l'M«ltnl»    •  -Itnlajt-^ar-Vx               -  «fcc,~|anlcfy:hc-|fM 

■^■*i    c3'*-J''*COCOW    oSOOCOMMWCO    OSCOWMCOCOCO    KCJCOCOCOCOCC- 

Q              ^"^                                                                   ■§                                                                 "g                                                                -5 

-KN-lt  *o  ;3  <~fx«l-*r-l»Hwo|i)Hcc  -  nlac-'l'Mr:l-v-|a>-|~I'M  "-  .nhct-laualx-I'M      nix  -  nl-MotHcc-lt      ni-r 

00 

'"' 

;> 

o 

2  ^  35  yi  ^  <?2  a>  oo  00  00  r/-)  t^  t~  CD  i^  t-  -J  -/-,  cr  to  o  >r:  i-r:  -t  //-  «  -!■  w  -»•  -^  M, 

00 

-tooto-^lt^lif    •        -<l«-i|e»oloo-i-»«lco    •  -lt-tat-liH(x«lt«!lx    ■  c'5lo>-lcHan!x-l'N-l'N    •  -Itnl-nlco    . 

o 

lO  lA  ■*  -t  -^    >->in   -"t  Tj-  T*-  Tt  ■*    V.Tt  -IT  -*  -t  ■*  >*    >-,co  «  c;  C^  <M  IM    >^.Oi  ri  ^ 

e^              -g                         -%                          2                         -g 

>ofcoy:|f-|xr:|^-|^  a  "^loo-loHocnlcrr-jx        -  "ilxnlt^J-— lar-Jx-'b:  -  r:|t>n|ccrtlt-i|x-l'N        -  -hwraHoo    - 

2 

Q. 

o 

02 

00 

Mloo    .  -|iN-l«-lx       -lo«-loo    .  «tamlaa-lxm!t      Hx    .  -|Tj«olx-l'wHxnlt-'l»)    •  -*»            -l-!-'lt 

"O 

in   >-,in  to  00  fi  00  t^   >.r~  ;o  o  i^  oo  -^   >.t^  o  m  -*  •*  t   >.in  o  m  r:  •«  kn   t-.u\, 

a                            s                           =                           c                           c 

nit  ^        U5I00       -l'>j:*mlt  a  t-lxinloirilx-tccrt'-mlx  -  Htt-liHx-l'»-laa-!x  -  wtaMi?"      njocwIxCTlt  --  Ha 

25 

si 

Tt<,^ln^n^^oot^«5r/^^«ocot-co^c^/^co^n■*«coco,-/5^•*^■»'*■*r/5■* 

00 

nto^'^^^»^  .•      .nit                  Hx-lt    .  t-hc-tamloot-lxnlx          .  nlx-ltnlconIoi>Vi>n{cc    • -It-l-M-loi-l.?— Iv 

o 

«       31                 -g                 1                 -g         ^ 

s 

^ 

-Ix-^lx-lt  O    3  -l'>^-l'N«to^oD./:taot-|x ^lt«lxt-lx-lTtT-lx-lt  -  HxJ^tx      Mx  -IxHx  s  -l7«lt      ■olx^nlx 

3 

-3 

» 

Hx-lQO-'tt-lao       nit    .  nltt-lxt^lx      Hx          •  — It'olx-l—nlxnltc^x      rt!x«^x*fllQo-l'M^;la«^tx    .  — 1— nix    • 

s 

0500SOOT    >>C5JiC-.  OCO    >.CO«*COC    t-,C  O  C  O  C;  c    >.c  o     • 

^                         c                             see 

^ 

a> 

^ 

n|X''*oHx       nit-lt  3  -bCTfoonltr-lxHxHx  -        nlxnla>Hx-lt~tx  —  -te      -ItHx              s        -It    • 

3 

flK^s  31  OCT331  ./^  ciC5C5C3  <r.  CT-.  r/^ccsooc-^/^oocooo  r/1  00     • 

-5 

CO 

— iMoIx    -  — I'M-olx-I'MnltHx-Jt    •  — lomltT-lx-ltc^ixHx    .  — IfMOl'tt-lxHx      Hx    •        Hx— Ixt-lx— Ic-inlt    • 

Oi  oi   >-,a  a>  01  CTJ  oi  0   >.o  Oi  a>  A  Oi  a^  >.a  en  at  a>  ci  Oi  >-,o  c  o  cs  C5  cs   >-» 
coco  ^ScocoMcoco-*  a  -r  <n  n^  n  CO  csrocococo-*co  esTt-t-^cococo  oi 

^        a                               c                              :.                              c                              c 

-itilx  3  -Ix-lx-lx-l'N-I'M'nlx  -  nltnioTMitaonltnlxnlx  3  -Itnlxr-jixnlxni-mlx  -  Hxt-te'dx-nlx-tar-I'M  3 

2 

r-i 

^ 

3 

^  35  '/^  ft  35   O^    3s   OT  Ci  ,'/-j  0   3i  0   *   3;  O^  'O  ^   3^  "3^  '31  C*   35  r/^  05   3:   en   *   Ci  Ci  rr) 

cocoTicococococo-'cocococococo"*cocococococo-'cocococoo?co 

3,5 

nItHxHxH'N    •  — lt-;lxr:lanltrS  —I'M    •        r~rx»oix-«,-'W5lxmt    •        — I'r*— lanloct-lx— Ix    •  — It-'ioj^ntac— 'Ici    • 

2 

00   »   00   X)     >-.0O   CO  00  CO    t,    CO    t».C5  00  00  00  'X  00    1».(35  CJ5   C  ft  35  Cft    >.C-.   C.   05   05      • 

eocoMco3cocococopt|COrtco«coeococo'::coco-*2^'^"'^'^'^'^    * 

^ 

:3 

;-• 

-tai-:ltnlt-IOD  3  nltnlt-la^l«  X  -Ix  —  — ix-l'^^•«<^      Mx-I'm  -  ■i^xni-mlxHxHynlt  -  nit 
ooi-j»oo:r)i~t^oooo   5oOf/5a)oooooooox.«-ooccas05cnoo,/-a.0505CTi    • 

WCOilcOCOCOCOCO-hCO-^COeOC^iOCOCO'COC^COCOCOCO^'COCOCOCO       • 

f:^ 

< 

S 

nloo 
•  md  nix-lt -Itnlx-to    •  Hxnlxrtit-lx      t,x    •  Ha>i5lo»-linl-nl--t<!lx    . -l^-nlxnlt^bi-nlxTix    .  Haolt 

>,";  _  _i  _  _  -H   >,o  0  35  0  c  o  >.CTJ  a;  00  00  00  05  >,a5  oo  oo  k  co  oo  >.ai  oo 

cJ^Tf-t^-^Tf    cSt)<t1<C0-*-*C0    cIcOCOCOCOCOCO    rtCOCOCOCOCOCO    ^COCO 

X) 

*"* 

"O  «,                           "3                               "^                               t;                               "B 
fl   "^                              c                                   c                                  c                                  c 
3  Hx-lx-^it       -lx«to  3  "Clxnlt-lt-lowinct-lx  3  -It      -1a-l>M-lt>n|x  -  •mxt-lxHx-lt-lcrnlx  -  nitnix 

a 

r/-,  o  0  0  — 1  —  0  -D  cr.  35  C5  en  0  aj  rr  35  Ci  00  »  00  00  -/-,  00  j»  00  00  00  00  a-,  00  00 
■*-*-*-t-*^-'''cococoecc.  cococococoeocc'-'^eoITcocccoco''^coco 

vS 

•2 

Hx    . -I'j«lt-I's       -l'>*-l'M    .  mlx-l'^l,■^-l'^CTlGI>-lx    . 'Ok»-|.^lx-lc«-|x  .■     .        -I'm>oIx-I'm-I'm    •     •     . 

e-g                           -g**                      -g                      :^'g 

3 

A 

-liN  3  ^-l»-koHx-l•^r5lt        -  nit«(_-<ltnlx">jinlx  3  t-loootec— It      -Ki  C    3  -It            u*r-te    •     •     • 

P 

^ 

CrrvO  —  O  —  —  !^^.#^-M CftOr/iOOCOCarrSMC^r'Sr:     ■     •     • 

..  .15100       -I'M    . -l'M-l'Mnlx"5l'Xt-lx-..-i    . -Ix -Itnlx-iflxnlt    .  nlx>-l'7)-i'>i-l'Mnlt— I'M    . -dH^'nlt      nit 

CO 

>»«    -f  -t>    >.in  t-   1^  %D  t^  rjj    :,,o  *|  O   0   35  >»    >-.35  35   35   0   0   0    '-'.—   --  —  ^  O 
escococo    rtcocococococo    rt-t£J-f    l-coco   tJcococo-*-'^'-*    ^Tf-'t-*-*'* 

d 

"o  -It-I'Mi-lx  3  nIt-I'M-I'Mnit       Jti  -  -l.l«-lx-l-^^-^x-lt-lt  3  r-jxnlt      nix      nit  3  nix      >n|x-t'^Hx 

c9 

p-ri»*coco-r)-fin-^i:^r^i--/-,ooc:cc35oooOr/^i~oo3505035r/5  0— '  —  00 
^2«W  ^"'cOCOCOCOCOCO-'^CO-tCOCOCOCO"'^  CO'  cococo-^co  "-'•*•■'*•*'*■* 
CT 

"^ 

i-H©lcOT*mwt>-ooo>o>-'(NcO''<"m;£>i^ooo50--c^co-'*|>n«or^ooo5C  — 

. 

_lrtr-)F-<i-l>-li-l^r1>->C4C^(NC<IS<T(N<M(MC^C^C0C0 

Daily  Price  0/  Gold,  Year  1869. 


117 


9H 


nlODr-locHx        Hx 


-l-j— 'l-^ojl-ji      Ml-*  i;     .  «lxmx      Hanlcc 


~  C  C  c  .-   C 

!^^(^^l^llM''-'c^!^^l^^(^^(^^(M~'-'c^<^^(^^(^^(^^(^^^^(^^*"'c>^(^^(^^^''-'(^^c^^_^^ 


iho-lx      t~lx        ^.  -'|x-l>!»^x  ix:"l''^x    •  -•l--w-|x>cfcr«|i«cl'* 

^^  v*^  »-  «-  »'  »-    i^i*^  i~-  I^  t^   tc  I^     i--^<^  I*  1-*  "      O  CD     t*.0  C^  !X   if^    -^  O    >-. 


00  1^  1^  t^  t^ 


-<lcio-l')Hanloo-'l-)"lc^  s  .n|xnHHQcHc^-^'^'m■*  s  >nlc<HxHx  K  -ii-mix  —  rclo^-loi  Hxnixnix  — 
00  I--  1^  -J  ^D  o  -/"j  t^  ^  t^  ^  y^  ^  rrj  '-^  '^  ^  —  ^  yD  rr  '^  o  o  T  Tf  -t  ,/■, 
C^  C^   (M  C^  (M   (M     -'  C>4  (M  (>)   C-)  OJ   (M  ^-'  CM  (M  C^  ^   (M   (M  ''^  C-l  C>)  O)  CM   (^^  -M  ''-' 


>oloo-'I(N     .  Hxrol-trit-t       mJgoHx    . 
O  O    >.05  00^—0    " 


■lx:^<»-l-3"lxHxHx    •  nlQt>-'la-<(xMxr^l-?mx    .  —l-i— 'l-Hxnlxt-lx-'Irf    . 

.c  o  o  o  a  o  >^c:  o  c  I —  >.— '  c  o  C-.  ot  o-.  >> 

COW  scococOMcow  Bcoeowwcoco  ncowcoc^oi?)  n 


Hx  3        t-|xt-lxHx>ol3>-l?»  ::  -I-*hIx-h|x      Hx        s  HxHxt-lx  n  t-lx-4x      «i— -•te'dx  — 

O    O  r/1  35  00  C5   —    O   S  rr)   —   '^  O   C   '^  O  r/:   O  O  O  C'   C  C  r/-   C   C   C   OC  ,»,  OC  r/5 
en  rrs  ■'■^    rvi   -M   f^a   r'^   n-.  m  ^-^  cncncricnrMfe^''-'ene^^nm(?f-ipr\^-^mmm^  T:   04 


S>)   7-1   O)   TO  CO  CO  ■ 


cocococo(Mcococ^cococococococo<n; 


»okx?5!x      nix    ■  c^[-r      '-lxc'lx-'H«-lx    •  Hx-hI'm—I- 
co  ■*  o  r-   >-ii^  r-  o  >^  o  o    >~.m  -^  o 

COCOCOCO     "COCOSOCOCOCO     CICOCOCO 


CO  CO  CO  CO   CO  CO 


cococo  c:eoco-*'S'250  ^  "  ©coco 

H"!*-"I-i— ^-N  ^  "*x-'l'^^r:Ix  —    s    ^    ^  -"i^jvnlx 

'  to  cc  o  ,/-  o  I-  t-  —  CO  ^  r/-  r_°  1.^  a  =^ 
iCOCOCO'^-COCOCOrl-COZ^^SCjScO 


■nWo 
.  tfi  -<Ix      -HlwHoinlx    .  n!xHx-'lc*-'lQwrl-t?^1x    • 
>->~  tr>  to  o  to  -^   >-,-j  in  m  in  -t  -!)•   > 
:sMcococococo  cicocococococo  ~ 

C  C  C 

3  Hx^x»«1co(-lx      Hx  3        H^Mco      Hcct'lx  2 

r/1  CO  m  in  in  :d  '.o  r/^  "^  'f'  '■'^  ■*  •+  CO  r/- 

'^^cocococococo''-'eocococoeoco~'-'cococococO' 


Hx'^xctIx-'It}*  Hx  .  H'MT-lxf^l'f  ^I'J^I'M  .  HxHx 
.  ■*  CO  CO  CO  CO  5")  >.TI  (M  CO  ■*  -t  Tf  >.-f  CO 
cocococococo    SCOCOCOCOCOCO    cicoco 


•ohcHxc^l-trtl-t^ctac^lf  s  H'Mn!xr~lx       H'rnolx  —  •«!a>-<l'M 
—    "1   CI   fM   iM  ^  -/-    —   CM   fM   CO   CI   CO  r/-    CO   CO 

^  ^-'   (-r\    ^^    rr\    rr\    r^    r^  ^-^ 

M 


CO  CO   CO  CO  CO   CO 


toj-'t^iloo-'l'^  •  ^'    H-I'^lx^l')*    •  t^lxf^lxnlx^lxc-lxt^tx  .  -'Irrft^o^-I'M-'I'Mf^l'^H^  •  H-Mtfllxccl-^wlonr^l-ft^lx 
t^  t^  r^  K^  '•*^r-.  in  in  '-0  to  >-.^  2^  1^  i-  co  in  >,*o  in  in  in  in  to  ->.t^  i^  to  to  ^  to 

cococo*J;COcocococooSCOi.i^'"'^'" 


cccococc   ^cocococococo   ^cocococococo 


cocococococo^-^cocococococococococococo 


-'|■^^H'N-'[':^-'l'^^^-|x 


e^!QO--|(M        eOl'^^lX  — 

cc  CO  00  i^  00  -r 
CO  CO  CO  CO  CO  -'-' 


-"!■•»— 'I  ■•j*olOD--l':^    •  rjrcot'lxHx-'l'^ 


-l'?t-'|-^--i|T4-«i3:-'IC'-po!x    •  'ClxHoi-'lt^ 


H'^r^ixt-lx^l'^^HQcHx  s  Hx-'l-twIocnlQCnlxcoIx  —  HciwlxHx'Olx 
„„„„„_        —  ~  I-  I-  t^  ^  ,/■  to  1^  to  to  r 

^^coco^^-cococococ 
TO 


X  2  H-j^l'j^-lx 

:  cc  '~  !5  "^ 


^l-;*-lxnlx-l'r«l'f  •  f  Ixcci't^^xMslxt-lxt-ix  .  HwiolxHx-'l-fc^i't  ■  H'M-'I'n-IX'Oixcchj-'l'j'  -  Hx 
in  !>^co  to  in  to  ^.  Oi  >->t^  00  OD  oc  x  c-.  >%<>)  (M  co  •*  co  —  t-.-M  —  c  c  c.  c  t'-orj 
CO    rtcocococococo    cicOCOCOCOCOCO    K-^-*-1-2,-*->t    7:  ^  -«  •*  m  m  ^ 

„  T3  TS  "O  ^  "3 

~    e  rt  c  cr 


'^'*'*C0CO-*    SCO 


»c1x  3        rti-^-I^«-lxc^(x»fttx  2        nixrHl'i^lx--lciHx  3  HxwIxcclTj^cix'ftlx-'l'M  '-  Mtx«l^ 
■«  r/TO  '-':  LO  .n  to  ■-  r/^  t-  t-  GO  t-  CO  <^  a-,  o  —  —  CO  -  C  rr.  —  = 


-Ml 


coeoo'.'Cococo^cocococococo 


■*'*•*  -t  -*  ^ 


•*    -^    CO    CO    CO    CO 


m-*  Hii  •  rtlti-lx'-lx-l-r^lx«i'* 
^-  CI  ^H  >,^^  ^—  ^-  CI  0?  CO  J 
COCOCO   scocococococo    t 


inlxt-fxHxccl'tnIx— I'M  -  Hx'-<I't>cilxeoI-?r:ln-'lcg  .  iclx  t-lxnloo-^t'M 
iCCtMCOOlCOCO  >iCO'*'*»l(COCO  ^-CO-tCO-t-^" 
COCOCOCOCOCO     CJCOCOCO^COCO     KCOCOCOCOCO 


Mloo-<l'Tq-<l'j*  zz  rt[XK:lx>^x":lx-'lxinlx  —  Hxcoloaclco-'loiioix        —  HC'if-lx-'H'      -^I'i*-'!'?  —  nlx-'l^i--|'M»j^x 

_.  —         —  «._._._.•«         „  „  _, — , „         J,  j^  ^  j^  ^ 

CO   CO  CO   CO  CO 


HaM'M-i'>>      nl'i'-'l^    ■        HiN      Hxnlconlx    .  'i|ooni-«-ixH-m{aHx    •  s^Ix-I-H'm-Ii'.x  -'I'*    -  H'N.olxwttx 
(71  (M  *1  CI  —  —    >->CI  —  (Mth  —  — .    >, ______    >._-  _-___:,_    >-.—  —  — 

W?.   ^.COCOCO     CJCO'COCOeOCOCO     CtcOCOCOCOCOCO     CJCOCOCOCOttlCO     CJCOCOCO 


cci'^'Olx-'li*      —l-f  3  mlxMl'j— 'lo«Ix      Hx  E  t-!xccJx?:loor:l'*HotfCj-'  ^  Hf        q         s  Hx«!a>-<l^ 

roc<-,e^rnr<~J'-'-'cOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCO'^COCOCOCO,HW^"'COCOCO 
C9  ^^^ 


CO    CO    CO    CO    CO 


a^.^i-1-    •  H-^x-il-tHx      rtli-    ■    ^  HxHxHxHcH'N    • 
..  ...  ^.  ^.  ^^  ^^   ^.^w  ^.  «-  -.  .n  in   >->in  in  o  >!<  -f  co   >>  i'CO  ci  co  o  ci   >-. 

MCOCOCOCOCO    C3C0C0C0C0C0C0    CSCOCOCOCOCOCO    cl^eOCOCOCOCO    OS 


"^x.-cloo-IOiHx 

in  ic  in  in  in  in  . 

CO  CO  CO   CO  CO   CO 


;  HocHxni-«Hx 


,.n.ft-*-t'Oc^a;nc;c)C}-OM2 


CO   CO  CO   CO  , 


>-.in  > 
03  CO  ci 

'o^l-rs 


,»0  iO  »ri  in  tr:  iO    i^ir:  in  lO  '-c  o  <X>    ^-.tD  o  m  »     O  ^ 
cocococococo   c^cocococococo    c;cocococ^"^co    ?tco 


CO   CO  CO  CO 


if:fxHac«^ac>n|x*o|x«Ix    • 
>.'X>  ca  :^  O  cC  CO    >^ 

!  "  M  '  ^ 

icIi«^IxHcc«oI-jHx  2  -^x—l'j'-'bMx-^l-tHx  —  Hx^lQO-'l-?-*f:icD-'l'>jt'|x  5  Hoc-^t-t^-'l-'t^loxolx  3 
!  ■((  -t  »o  --t  »o  ri^  »f^  ^  ^"^  '-0  ^  ^  rri  ^  'i^  *f^  "^  »^  ^"^  r/^  '^  ^  "^  *^  "^  '^  rn 
sricocococo-'-'cocococococo^-'cocococococo^^cocococococo^'' 


11. 


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X>at7!/  Price  o/'  Gold,   Year  1870. 

t*»-(xrt»     .  _(-rtJxHscrf-fi~|x  .  ^:,T^*x_(xH■TH»^-l»     .  nl*M(-Tn(t-l-felx.ri»     .         ,.'»        rt~f-Xh~x 

O  —  B^   ^i-c  O  O  O  O  Ti   ^O  O  r-i  ^  O  O   >>0  00000   t>^  ;Ao  T-i  O  O  O 

'"''"'■■JS'"''"''"''"''^'"'-??'"''"'"''^'^'"-^'"''"''^'^'"''"'     «S    C3i-'t-it-.t--i-H 

e  'O  -S  Tl  rsrs 

— ii^rt^^  _  ■-(xj:ixo;x^xc:l-.-:-r  =  Hn-teijrlx        j- x -4?.  ^  <-:  >: ..- :r  ^.ix -iM -t;i ,*)  ^  ■-;  ^irt-ru-n-'x -'-i. 

Hn~^-*»-'x  H?) --fci     .  nx^:^-trf;xrS-f-^x^:^x      .  rt-r-to^ -*=i  H^ — r^^T     .  :-s-f        _x         _jx  r-iri-tx 

1-1  T-i  O  O  O   >>0  O  O  O  1-1  ^   >tf>i  »-i  d  j;  ?S  CQ   t^,i-i  Oi  O}   >-  ^>  CJ   >,--  'i^  ^     . 

rti-li-ii-lrHar-iT-l.-lT-n-li-.RT-lr-ii-ii-.T-l    crHi-Irn    (-"„  ^-l    «  r-l  t-i  tH      • 

e  ^  ^  '5  '^         'c 

S  a  C  *—  e 

r-iOOSo^OOOOOr-|j£_.OT-o:»0>0>^rt— i^^i_i_^T-<i-<o     . 

-!*<  ^10  ?3  ?o  CO  ooco  i^io  ci'io  mm'i'i'vi  >-.~?5jS}  cooler  t^.o^^oj  Sj  ^  ^  t^^" 

w  '"O  "^  ^  "^  r^  '^ 

—  c  s  c  c 

cN-f    3   ^50  H»  --IX    —    -fe>-lrf— V^'X-J-T  —  -^>5^'-|--'X-tM^IX     S   ^-•X -+)  rt-T  .^X -.- ^.'X     3   -'» 

CO  ^io  n  vi  csi  vi  00  -^m  ci  z'i  <yi  CQ  CO  ^v:'  1^  oi  o'i  oi  oi  ^-r-  -^  -^  •-'  --^  T-t  ^w^ 
;a  o  ih  >.-*  lO  ^  ^  -*  -^  >-.io  -^  -^  ^'-^  -*  t"^-^  ?■>  00  ??  M  Tc  >»W3  io  Tt<  ■<*  fc.    • 

_rHr-<    C5i— li-HT-li— ir-irH    cji— (i— ii— It-h^^-^^    jJ-r-lr-iT^T-ii— It-i    cSi-Hi— ir-ii— t    5      • 

s  a  a  ^  .    c  W 

«x  —  ^T-4x-(xudxicix-l-f  —  c^;xL-x         ^Jx         fjx    ,j  t-;'x:~-«::xrf.f        "-f  Ji  _Jx_l-f«il«:'x    _       . 

oo-*jjQco^^coso«j^coco'>*co-<*iCj2?oioccOTw9|j^ecsocrtecO    • 

iclx         ir  X  — ti-Sx      .  ir'Xir'M         e-Jx         t-oo      .  c^rf— J-rr'^r         -^-i-r?'-*      .K'— -^7l^^J       rJxr-x      .»rx-*MHw 

—  01  —  4J  —  —I    t-.OS  GO  GO  t-  00  £^    >.  t-  t^  t^  t>  i=  O    i^.lC  ST  I>  00  O  «    t^  42  «5  t- 
C}CQO}«i0^tW    ;Si— irHi-iTHi— 11— I    cJTHi— 11— ii-Hr-(r^    5ji-^i-lr-ir-lr-irH    t3r-li-lr-l 

a  "i^  '^  -3  -3  T3 

.-iv-|x^-t.r;x-xr>-f   —  -tNHx«'-ri-4x-x-fci  3  -bir-'T-J-?--         =^-^   S  -Jxr-'^j-rSxclx -*ij:'x   3 -Jx         _ix) 
OiOQOJ«03<:^''-''-rT-r-ll-H.rHTH'*^r-ir-T-lrH  —  ,^-C^_^^^t-''*'t-  —  t-i 

-J-t— -f     .       ■  r-xKl-f  Jx— '-!t:i'.i-     .  — 'x— 'xr?'.?tJx -itif:^-?     .  ->— Hiictr  (^x_'x  rr^x      .  •^-rtf:(x  tri-f 

c<j  01  >>  2*—'  —  c:>  CJ  o}  >-,i--5  ^  CT  eti  LO  o  [>-.«  ci  C5  r-  o  O  >»—  r^  ■??  o?  r-  i-i  >, 

rti-i    :3_2r-irHrti— 1-1    c3r-iT-iT-i-rti-iT-i    rtiJOJiMiNCieJ    c:fflC}CQ(?iOC!C>}    ti 

flrti.  C  C  C  C 

—  xr^Tf  —     3  rrix—i-^— l-t— '-f  pw  — ^x  h-'r^         — x    r-  ^^r^x..-:  r -^ikJx— 'x    —  ^-r^rJx         ^xic'x-*;i  r-t 

o} "  r/i  —  ^  "  '-  ^  '^■>  r/i  io  ?ti  c?  c-j  -*  o  ,7;  i  ~  o  —  o  00  c;  T-;;  o  o  —  rt  o  o  T-;; 

r-  -H  '-'-'  r- 1  -TH  p^  rt  r-l  tH  -^-^  —  rH  rt  —  T-l  —  ^-^  —  CJ  C":  W  —  —  ''-'  <M  07  (N  03  C>7  OJ  '" 

^  ■■  -*  '*<  >.-#  ^  CO  Vo  c'ti  0-5  tAro  eo  fti  cr  cci  ro  >-.!M  ci  c7  t-i  ^  r-i  js^rn  ^-i  ^  th    • 

•—      "1— IrH    cJT^T-lT-lT-lrHi-l    cSr-lT-iT-ii— lT-11— 1    cSr-^i-MT-irHT^T-l    ojrli-HT-lTH      . 

d  fl  C  C     . 

-'^^-ir:(x-l-T  3  r-'x-lD-lxrfx.r'x—'.T  5  r:l-?r^-?r:'il'-'xfr'.t-(-.  3  c:  x^Tl-^.c|I  rtx_(-»  S  Hx^jx-^-fc.     • 

"Tfi  -Tti  -^  ^  ^  CO  TO  10  ■:■?  ?o  c?  j^  o'>  C7  iM  CO  «  c<}  j^  c>  c}  cj  — 1  T-  1—  j^  ^  o  rH  r-    . 

rti-lT-lT-lrHT-lT-1    03i-Ii-1tH^t-(t-i    rfr-li-li— 11— ii-Hr-l    eSi-Hi-ii-li-li—  ri    A  T*  T-* 
S  fl  S  C!        _,  C 

2  Hx-(i'^'»f^»:'Ci''«'^  3  ^rllcxi-jx         c-lTK.-ix   S  c^x  r-Te-i-f -fci-fr<e::x   ^  Hx  nl-T_(.T_lxo:x -♦?!  ^  rfx-l^f 

^ -,    "^   "^  "^   T^   T^    "^   ^y\   ^^  "^    ^f    i^   "^   "^   rr\    "^   ^^  "^  "^  ■^  "^    Tfj    -O   09  ^^  ^^   ^^   ^^    r/j   "^  ^^ 

Kf-TKl-f     ,  Hx  — X— !x  — xrrlx— 'X      .  —  xrr'xrt-r  ii  "'-^     .  «I-t??'-*..-'x -^)— '— -fei     .  r-hcecJ-fW-^-tritdx-V-f     • 

rt  —I  t-vrt  CI  oj  cj  (0>  00  ;►.'*  CO  07  CO  S  00  t>-.co  CO  oo  co  co  eo  >.©o  so  "*  jo  »*  lo    - 

l-lT-(     OJi-HtHtHi— ll-Hl-H     CJrHi-Hi-HT-lt,i-H     cSt-HtHtHi-ItHt-I     CSrHrHr-lT— i^tH       • 
~^'-+3>  3  -t:ir-;x?:<-rHx— xrx    —  tf;:x.c'x— I^r^-x   C— -r  ^  w^t— f^r— '-T         e:*.t  — X   r^  -^-JtfJxyrlx  p:J-f -♦;»      . 

»*  —  j]gr-iT-i-HrH(Mejj^coc!o>cQ  ocOj^cocoeocoojcCj^ooccoo^TtiTji    • 

«C  :a  L-O  -*  tJI   >^C0  OJ  r-  rt  CO  C)    XCO  07  CJ  CJ  «  Oi   fr-.W  ■«  CJ  «  «  --   >-.r-i  OJ  w  co 

1—1^1— li-Hl-H     CJt^i-HtHi— ll— IrH     :3^tT-lT-iT— li— 11— 1     CJtHtHt— Ir-li— 11— 1    eSr-lrHi— li-H 

i.ououococOj^<MO©ocj  —  ^— '— iT-ioiTHO'}j^ojoj'r»(0>T-ir-ij^r-irHi-ir-i 

i-lrHrHrHT-l  r-lr-l-p^rHr-lTH  i-HrtrtT-_rt  rHi-iTlT-T-li-l  t-t-I^-i-H 

r-  ^  —  o  — 1  t^rt"— I  o  000  t^.Ss  o  o  C5  o  C5  tA,r;  5^30  j~  i>  i^  t^iO    •    •    • 

CJ  17  OI  C*  OJ    :3  0(  OJ  CJ  CJ  CJ  C-l    ci  — '  0>  OJ  th  rt  --    rt  --  _:=  —  rH  1-.  rH   eS  th      .     .      . 

rt  ^Oo'oV^  O  OOOO  Ot2  C5  «J>''s?0  O  00,S  30^  j~oo  lb  j^  »ft     •     •     • 

CO  Ot  O}  OJ  OQ  ''-'  OJ  OT  O'    ">■?—•  rH  ''-'  tH  T—  .-■  iH  -H  T-l  -'-  -H  ■—■  ^.  — ^  .^  ...  f-i  ^^       .       .       . 

'^       ._J— kTX         •j;-*r'^  . -J.T-47) -*T)t-^t"X>.-ix      ,  irix  rJX  ir'x -*i         rJx      ,  ir*x -4?»         — Xf^'f-^      .  r*'--; 

^     t>-^0  S5  O  O  r-l  CO     t»^«*  (M  CO   — '   — 1   rH     >-,--   _.   _l   — I   _   O     t^.— 1    —   <»  CI    r-   rH     >.rt 

S    cS  Ol  r-  so  <N  O*  CO    33  ii  OJ  «  W  C>?  CJ    ej  C>J  CO  «  C^J  C>J  CO   «J  C?  CO  CO  CJ  C*}  CT   ci  CJ 

-S-0«  'n"  "3  ""  '« 

W  c  ~  3  c  c  c 

i;  i-ixt-IXcWx-lx-lxt-lx    2  H-*         -ix-fci-J-r  rtWxf^K-*!         Jm-i-   ^  f-iu         -«;>-tn-(x-Jx   ,-  -*» 

^rS-^5S05O  —  —  T?'^>'-^■» ^_^^,-_  r-ir-<oo,;;orH— .  —  — i_-rt 

^  M  r-  J^  rt  c^n  CI  cj  ^  -M  oi  CO  C7  w  -yj  -'''  CO  c<i  N  c?  *>  «■>  ■'•^  oj  c^  «  o>  eo  «  "J-^  c« 

T-tcaM-^iocot-oocsO— (cir^-^ifotsf— QOss-s— ico^r-fiossf^oosiO— 1 

tH— '1— i-Hi-iT-lr-li-lr-lr-OJCOCOCOCJCOeiCOOiCOCOCO 


Works  on  Gems,  Coins,  Medals^  Sc.  119 


WORKS  ON  GEMS,  COINS,  MEDALS, 


BiLLiiiG  (A).  The  Science  of  Gems,  Jewels,  Coins,  and  Medals, 
Ancient  and  Modern.  1  handsome  vol.  8vo,  full  of  fine  photographic 
illustrations.     Extra  cloth,  gilt  sides  and  edges,  815.75. 

The  British  Foreign  and  Colonial  Trade-Marks  Directory,  to 
which  is  added  an  International  Guide,  and  an  Appendix  of  General 
CominL'rcial  Information  ;  with  Translations  into  French,  German, 
Spanish,  Italian,  Portuguese,  Dutch,  Swedish,  Russian,  Chinese,  etc. 
Imj)erial  4to,  '^5.00. 

Emmanuel  (Harrj^).  Diamonds  and  Pi'ecious  Stones;  their  His- 
tory, Value,  and  Distinguishing  Characteristics.  With  simple  tests 
for  their  identilication.  Second  and  clieajier  edition.  AVith  a  new 
table  of  the  present  value  of  Diamonds.  1  vol.  quarto,  large  paper, 
antique  morocco,  6-25,  or  1  vol.  12mo,  $4. 

DoYXE  (W.).  Tokens  issued  in  the  Seventeenth  Century  in 
England,  Wales,  and  Ireland,  by  Corporations,  Merchants,  Trades- 
men, etc.     With  42  plates.     1  large  vol.  8vo,  812.50. 

Dactyliotheca  Smithiana.  G .mmaiMiin  ectypa,  et  A.  F.  Gorii 
enarrationes  complectens.  2  vols,  folio,  full  of  engravings  of  gems, 
fine  copy,  in  full  russia  exti'a,  very  rare,  17G7,  $20. 

PIumpiirey's  Coin  Collector's  Manual ;  a  Popidar  Introduction 
to  the  Study  of  Coin^,  Ancient  and  Modern  ;  numerous  highly-finished 
engravings  on  wood  and  steel,     2  vols.  12mo,  $5. 

King  (C.  W.).  The  Natural  History  of  Precious  Stones,  and  of 
the  Precious  Metals.    1  vol.  small  8vo,  cloth,  $5.25. 

King  (C.  W.).  The  Natural  History  of  Gems  or  Decorative 
Stones.     1  vol.  small  8vo,  clotli,  -$5.25. 

King  (C.  W.).  Antique  Gems;  their  Origin,  Uses,  and  Value 
as  Interpreters  of  Ancient  History,  and  as  lUustiative  of  Ancient 
Art.  With  Hints  to  Gem  Collectors.  1  handsome  vol.  8vo,  finely 
illustrated,  full  polished  calf,  ^\Q.     Or,  in  cloth,  i-<10.50. 

King  (C.  W.).  Hand-Book  of  Engraved  Gems.  With  numerous 
illustrations.     1  handsome  vol.  small  8vo,  vellum,  cloth,  8G. 

KiNir  (C.  W.).  Natural  Ilistoiy,  Ancient  and  Modern,  of  Precious 
Stones  and  Gems,  and  of  the  Precious  Met  ils.  With  numerous  Illus- 
trations.    1  handsome  vol.  royal  8vo,  810.50. 

Martin  &  Trui'.ner.  The  Current  Gold  and  Silver  Coins  of  all 
Countries;  their  Weight  and  fineness,  and  their  Intrinsic  Value  in 
English  Money.  With  Fac-similes  of  the  Coins.  1  very  large  vol. 
8vo,  extra  cloth,  $25. 


]20  Wi/rAs  0)1,  Mmeraloff)/,  Metullur//i/,  and  Mining. 

Madden  (F.  W.).  History  of  Jewish  Coinage,  and  of  Money  in 
tlie  Old  and  New  Testaments.  1  vol.  4to,  large  paper,  half  morocco, 
$31.50. 

PixKEETON  (J.).  Essay  on  Coins  and  Medals,  especially  those 
of  Greece,  Rome,  and  Britain.     2  vols.  8vo,  calf,  very  scarce,  86.50. 

Sealy  (IT.  N.).  Treatise  on  Coins,  Currency,  and  Banking.  2 
large  vols.  8vo,  ^9. 

SxowDEN  (J.  R.).  Manual  of  Coins  of  the  United  States. 
Quarto,  $10. 

Mineralogy^  Aletallurgy^  and  Mining. 

Baixbridge  (W.).  Treatise  on  the  Law  of  Mines  and  Minerals. 
Third  edition.     1  vol.  large  Svo,  $15. 

Bal'ermaxn  (H.).  Treatise  on  the  Metallurgy  of  Iron,  contain- 
ing Outlines  of  the  History  of  Iron  Manufiicture,  Methods  of  Assay 
and  Analysis  of  Iron  Ore,  Process  of  Manufacture  of  Iron  and  Steel. 
1  vol.  small  8vo,  1868,  86. 

Bristow  (H.  W.).     Glossary  of  Mineralogy.     1  vol.  12mo,  $3. 

Budge  (J.).  Practical  INIiner's  Guide.  Together  w'ith  a  col- 
lection of  Essential  Tables,  Rules,  and  Illustrations  applicable  to 
JMnning  Business.     1  vol.  8vo,  cloth,  third  edition,  enlarged,  §6. 

Crooke's  tt  Roiirig's  Practical  Treatise  on  Metallurgy,  elabo- 
rated after  the  last  German  edition  of  Kei-Ps  Metallurgy  tor  use  in 
Great  Britain  and  the  English  Colonies.  2  vols.  8vo,  1868.  (Pre- 
paring.) 

Hall  (T.  M.).  The  Mineralogist's  Directory ;  or,  a  Guide  to 
the  Principal  Mineral  Localities  in  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland.     1  vol.  small  Svo,  $3. 

IIuxT  (R.).  ]Mineral  Statistics  of  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland,  for  the  year  1866.     Large  Svo,  paper,  %\. 

Jevoxs  (W.  S.).  The  Coal  Question.  Second  edition,  revised, 
Svo,  $5.25. 

Jarvis  (W.  p.).  The  ^Mineral  Resources  of  Central  Italy.  In- 
cluding Geological,  Historical,  and  Commercial  Notices  of  the 
Mines  and  Marble  Quarries  ;  with  a  Supplement,  containing  an  ac- 
count of  the  Mineral  Springs,  accompanied  by  the  most  reliable 
analysis.     1  vol.  Svo,  paper,  $2.50. 

JoxES  (W.).  The  Treasures  of  the  Earth;  or,  Mines,  Minerals, 
and  ^Metals.     With  original  illustrations.     12mo,  $1.75. 

LA^rnoRN  (Dr.  R.  II.).  The  Metallurgy  of  Silver  and  Lead.  1 
vol.  12mo,  limp  cloth,  $1. 

Lamuorx  (Dr.  R.  II.).  Tiie  Metallurgy  of  Copper.  1  vol. 
12mo,  limp  cloth,  $1. 

Lawrexce  (P.  II.).  Lithology ;  or,  Classification  of  Rocks, 
with  their  English,  French,  and  German  Names,  and  the  most  ira 
portant  Minerals.     4to,  paper  covers,  $2.50. 


Woi'ks  on  Mineralogy^  Metallargi/^  and  Miyiing.  121 

MixiXG.  The  Last  Tiiirty  Years  in  a  MiniiiGT  Distriet ;  or, 
Scotching  and  the  Candle  versus  Lamp  and  Tr.vjles-Unions.  1  vol. 
small  8vo,  $1.75. 

Makixs  (G.  IL).  Manual  of  Metallurgj-,  more  particularly  of 
the  Precious  Metals,  including  the  Methods  of  xVssaying  them.  1 
vol.  crown  8vo,  $6. 

Mitchell  (J.).  Manual  of  Practical  Assaying,  for  the  Use  of 
Metallurgists,  Captains  of  Mines,  and  Assayers  in  general ;  with 
copious  Tables  for  ascertaining  in  Assays  of  Gold  and  Silver  the 
Precise  Amount  in  Ounces,  Pennyweights,  and  Grains  of  Noble 
Metal  contained  in  One  Ton  of  Ore  from  a  given  quantity.  Second 
edition,  revised  and  enlarged,  1854,  580  pp.,  with  360  woodcuts, 
8vo,  $10.50. 

Phillips  (J.  A.).  The  Mining  and  Metallurgy  of  Gold  and  Sil- 
ver.    1  large  vol.  royal  8vo,  numerous  engravings,  $15.75. 

Phillips  (W.).  Elementary  Introduction  to  Mineralogy,  revised 
and  enlarged  by  Brooke  &  Miller.     1  thick  vol.  small  8vo,  $5. 

The  Metai.luegy  of  Lead,  Silver,  Gold,  Platinum,  Tin,  Nickel, 
Cobalt,  Antimony,  Bismuth,  Arsenic,  and  other  jMetals,  by  John 
Percj%  M.  D.,  F.  R.  S.  With  illustrations.  8vo.  Also,  a  new  and 
revised  edition  of  vol.  1  of  Percy's  jMetallurgy.     (In  preparation.) 

Ramsay  (A.).  Rudiments  of  Mineralogy ;  a  Concise  View  of 
the  General  Properties  of  Minerals.     12mo,  1808,  $1.50. 

RiCKARD  (W.).  Miner's  Manual  of  Arithmetic  and  Surveying. 
With  a  Compendium  of  Mensuration  ;  also  a  Course  of  Mine  Sur- 
veying, together  with  Leveling  and  Surveying.      1  vol.  8vo,  $5.25. 

Rogers  (A.).  The  Law  Relating  to  Mines,  Minerals,  and 
Quarries  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  with  a  Summary  of  the  Laws 
of  Foreign  States.     1  vol.  Svo,  $15. 

Smyth  (W.  AV.).  Treatise  on  Coal  and  Coal  Mining.  12mo. 
$3.75. 

Traill  (G.  W.).  An  Elementary  Treatise  on  Quartz  and  Opal, 
including  their  varieties.  With  a  Notice  of  the  Pi-incipal  Foreign 
and  Bi-itish  Localities  in  which  they  occur.     1  vol.,  $2. 

Ure's  Dictionary  of  Arts,  Manufactures,  and  Mines,  containing 
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Robert  Hunt,  F.  R.  S.,  etc.  Sixth  edition,  carefully  rewritten  and 
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engravings.  Very  superior  to  the  American  reprint,  $47.25,  or,  iu 
half  russia  extra,  $56. 

Ward  (IL  G.).  Mexico  in  1827.  2  vols.  Svo,  (the  fullest  work 
on  the  Mines  of  Mexico),  and  a  folio  Atlas  of  Engravings,  beautiful 
copy,  uncut,  half  red  morocco,  very  scarce,  $21. 

WiLKiE  (G.).  The  Manufacture  of  Iron  in  Great  Britain  ;  with 
Remarks  on  the  Employment  of  Capital  in  Iron- Works  and  Col- 
lieries.    1  vol.  Svo,  $5. 


122 


Foreign  Gold  Coins. 


FOREIGN  GOLD  COINS. 

Statement  of  the  loeight,  fineness,  and  value  of  Foreign  Gold  Coins 
at  the  Uiilted  States  Mint. 


Countt-y. 


A-UStralia . 

it 

Austria  . . 


Belgium 

Bolivia 

Brazil 

Central  Aiuerica 

Chili 


Denmark , 
Equador  . 
Euglaud  , 


France  

Germany,  North 


South 


Greece  . . . , 
Hindostan 

Italy , 

Japan .... 


Mexico. 


Naples 

Netherlands  . . 
New  Grenada. 


Peru . 


Portugal 
Prussia  . 
Rome  .. . 
Russia . . 
Spain  . . . 


Sweden  . 

Tunis  . .  . 
Turkey'.. 
Tuscany . 


Denom  inations. 


Pound  of  ]85'2 

Sovereign  of  185J-G0. . 

Ducat  

Sovereign 

New  Union  Coin  (as'md) 

25  Francs  

Doubloon  

Twenty  Milreis 

Two  Escudos 

Four  Reals 

Old  Doubloon 

Ten  Pesos  

Ten  Thalers 

Four  Fscudos 

Pound  or  Sovereign,  new 

"  "     average 

Twenty  Francs,  new. . . 

"  average 

Ten  Thalers 

"  Prussian  . . . 

Krone  (Crown) 

Ducat 

Twenty  Draclims 

Mohur 

Twenty  Lire 

Old  Cobang 


Doubloon,  average 

"         new 

Twenty  Pesos  (Max.).. . 
"  (Repub.). 

Six  Ducacii,  new 

Ten  Guilders 

Old  Doubloon,  Bogata. . 
•'  Popayan. 

Ten  Pesos 

Old  Doubloon 

Twenty  Sols 

Gold  Crown 

New  Crown  (assumed). 

2^  Sctidi  (new) 

Five  Rubles 

100  Reals 

80         "      

Ducat 

Carolin,  1 0  frs 

25  Piastres 

100      "        

Soguin 


Weight 

Finenens. 

Oz.     Dec. 

Til  OUH. 

0.231 

9 1(5 . 5 

0.256.5 

91G 

0.112 

9SG 

0.3G3 

900 

0.357 

900 

0.254 

899 

0.8C7 

870 

0.575 

917.5 

0.209 

853.5 

0.027 

875 

0.SG7 

870 

0  492 

900 

0.427 

895 

0.433 

844 

0.25G.7 

916.5 

0.2."iG.2 

916 

0.207.5 

899 

0.207 

899 

0.427 

895 

0.427 

90.3 

0.357 

900 

0.112 

986 

0.1S5 

900 

0.374 

916 

0.207 

898 

0.3G2 

568 

0.289 

572 

0.8G7.5 

866 

0.8G7.5 

870.5 

1   08G 

875 

1  .090 

875 

1.245 

996 

0.215 

8;>9 

0.868 

870 

0.807 

858 

0.525 

891.5 

0.8G7 

868 

1  .055 

898 

0  308 

912 

0  357 

900 

0.140 

900 

0.210 

916 

0.2G8 

896 

0.215 

809.5 

0.1  11 

875 

0  104 

900 

0.1  Gl 

900 

0.231 

915 

0.112 

999 

Value. 


$5.32.4 

4.85.7 

2.28.3 

6.7  ..4 

6.64.2 

4.72 

15.59.3 

10.90.6 

3.68.8 

0.48.8 

15.59.3 

9.15.4 


90 

55.5 

86. 3 

,85.1 

,85.8 

3.84.7 

7.90 

7.97.1 

6.64.2 

2.28.2 

3.44.2 

7.08.2 

3 .  84 . 3 

4.44 

3.57.6 

15.53 

15.61.1 

19.64.3 

19.72.0 

5.04.4 

3 .  99 .  7 

15.G1.1 

15.37.8 

9.67.5 

15.55.7 

19.21.3 

5.80.7 

6 . 64 . 2 

2.60.5 

3.97.6 


96.4 
86.4 
23-7 
93.5 
99.5 
36.9 
2.31-3 


Forevji  Silver  Coins. 
FOREIGN  SILVER  COINS. 


123 


Statement  of  the  weif/ht^p'neness,  and  value  of  Foreign  Silver  Coins 
at  the  United  States  Mint. 


Country. 

Denominations. 

Weight. 

Finents-t. 

Value. 

Austria 

Old  Rix  Dollar 

Old  Scudo 

P'lorin  before  1 858     

03.       Dec. 

0.902 

0.836 

0.451 

0.397 

0.506 

0.895 

0 .  803 

0.801 

0.820 

0 .  1  50 

0.187.5 

0.866 

0.864 

0.801 

0.866 

0.087 

0.927 

0.182.5 

0.178 

0.800 

0  320 

0.712 

0.595 

0.340 

0 .  340 

0.719 

0.374 

0.279 

0.279 

0.867.5 

0.866 

0.861 

0,844 

0.804 

0.927 

0  803 

0.866 

0.766 

0.4:!3 

0.802 

0.712 

0 .  595 

0.86^ 

0.6i'.7 

0.800 

0.166 

1.092 

0.323 

0.511 

0.770 

0.220 

T/ioiis. 
833 
902 
833 
900 
900 
838 
897 
900 
918.5 
925 
925 
850 
908 
900.5 
901 
901 
877 
924.5 
925 
900 
835 
750 
900 
900 
900 
900 
916 
991 
890 
903 
9(il 
902.5 
830 
944 
877 
896 
901 
909 
650 
900 
750 
900 
900 
875 
900 
899 
750 
899 
89S.5 
8::0 
925 

SI   02.3 

11 

1.02.6 

it 

51.1 

<i 

New  Florin 

48.6 

u 

New  Union   Dollar 

73.1 

Belgium 

Maria  Theresa  Dollar  1780 

Five  Francs 

1 . 02 . 1 
93 

Bolivia. 

New  Dollar 

98.1 

Brazil 

Double  Wiireis 

1.02.5 

Twenty  Cents     

18.9 

li 

23.6 

Central  America. 

Dollar    

1    00 . 2 

Chili 

Old  Dollar 

1.06.8 

New  D,.i!ar 

Dollar  (Fiiglish),  assumed 

Ten  Cents 

98.2 

China 

1.06.2 

10.6 

DeniTiark 

Two  Rigsdaler 

1    10.7 

Shillin"',  new 

23 

11 

"         average 

22.4 

France     . .      .    . 

Five  Francs   average 

98 

Two  Francs 

36.4 

Germany,  North . . 

a                      1. 

Thaler  before  1 857 

72.7 

New  Thaler 

72.9 

"          Soulli.. 

Florin  before  1857 

41.7 

\ew  florin  (assumed) 

41  .7 

Greece 

Five  Drachms. 

88   1 

llindostan 

Rupee  

46  6 

Japan  

Itzbu 

37.6 

New  Itzbu 

3;! .  8 

Mexico 

Dollar,  new 

1  .06  6 

Dollar,  average     

1 .06.2 

11 

1.05.5 

Naples 

Scudo  

95.3 

Netherlands 

24  Guilders 

1 . 03 . 3 

Norway 

Specie  Daler  

1.10.7 

Dollar  of  1857 

98 

Peru 

Old  Dollar 

1.06.2 

Dol'nr  of  1858 

94  8 

,(      

Half  Dollar  1835  and   1838 

Sol 

38.3 
98  2 

Prussia 

Thaler  before  1857 

72.7 

New  Thaler    

72.9 

Rome 

Scudo  

1    05  8 

Ruble 

70  4 

S:irdinia 

Five  Lire 

98 

New  Pistarcen 

Rix  Dollar 

20.3 

Sweden 

1.11.5 

Switzerland 

Tunis 

Two  Francs 

Five  Piastres 

39.5 
62.5 

Turkey  

Tyscany 

Twenty  Piastres 

87 

Florin  ...    

27.6 

124  The  Or'tQin  of  Xotcd  Coins. 


THE  ORIGIN  OF  NOTED  COINS. 


Quotations  from  the  Encyclopedia  Britannica  are  denoted  E  B.  T/iosr  from  the 
Numismntic  Chronicle  are  from  a  recent  periodical  issued  in  the  City  of  Lon- 
don.     Those  from  Chambers'   Cyclopedia  are  denoted  C.  C. 


An'GEL.  a  gold  coin,  fir.st  used  ia  Fraxce,  and  introduced  into 
England  iu  the  reign  of  Edward  IV.,  (14GI-148.'>).  It  varied  in 
value  from  that  period  till  the  time  of  Charles  I.,  from  6s.  8d.  to  10 
shillings.  It  was  impressed  with  St.  Michael  and  the  Dragon  ; 
whence  the  name.  —  E.  B. 

The  Angel  was  discontinued  in  the  seventeenth  century.  The  Angel 
was  well  known  in  the  days  of  Shakspeake,  Avho  uses  the  term  in 
various  plays,  viz.  : 

"  He  hath  a  legion  of  angels." M.  Wives.     I.   3. 

"  I  had  myself  twenty  angels  giren  7ne  this  morning." "         ''  H.  2. 

"  Rich  she  shall  be,  that's  certain  ;  liable,  or  not  [for  an  angel."'  .yivcil  Ado.  II.   3. 
"  They  have  in  England  a   coin  that  hears  the  figure  of  an  angel  .^tamped  in 

gold." M.  Vkxice.  II.  7. 

"Here  are  the  angels  that  you  sent  for  to  deliver  you." C.  OF  Errors.  IV.   3. 

In  the  year  1548  (Henry  VI.)  the  value  of  the  Angel  was  fixed  by 
proclamation  at  Vs.  8d.  ;  the  Riall,  14s.  6d. ;  ihenew  Sovereign,  20s. ; 
the  Ci'own,  5s.  In  the  time  of  Mary,  ( 15.33-1558),  the  Angel  Avas 
ordered  to  be  current  at  10s.  The  pound  of  gold  was,  in  15S2-'3, 
coined  into  seventy-two  Angels  at  10s.  each,  with  halves  and  quarters 
in  proportion.  In  the  year  1617— IGl 8  (James  I.)  the  Angel  was  coin- 
ed of  the  value  of  15.S.,  having  a  lion  crowned.  The  Angel  of  10s. 
had  a  stam^  of  an  angel  striking  a  serpent. 

As.  A  Roman  coin  of  different  weight  and  material  in  different 
ages  of  the  Commonwealth.  Under  Numa  Pompilius,  according  to 
Eusebius,  the  Roman  money  was  either  of  wood,  leather  or  shells. 
In  the  tiine  of  TuLLUS  HoSTILirs  it  Avas  of  brass,  and  called  Ax 
Libra,  Lihclla  or  PonJo.  because  actually  weighing  a  pound  or  twelve 
ounces.  The  first  PuNic  war,  420  years  later,  having  exhausted  tlie 
treasury,  the  As  was  reduced  to  two  ounces.  In  the  second  Punic 
war,  it  Avas  again,  to  half  its  Aveight,  amz.  :  to  one  ounce.  And,  lastly, 
by  the  Papirian  law,  it  Avas  reduced  to  half  an  ounce,  and  continued 
so  even  to  the  reign  of  Vespasian.     Its  original  stamp  Avas  that  of  a 


The  Origin  of  Noted  Coins.  ]25 

sheep,  ox  or  sow,  but  from  tlie  time  of  the  Emperors  it  had  on  one 
side  a  Janus  with  two  faces,  and  ou  the  reverse  the  rostrum  or  prow 
of  a  ship. — E.  B. 

AssiGNAT.  The  name  given  to  a  peculiar  species  of  paper  money 
issued  during  the  first  French  revolution. — E.  B. 

AuKEUS,  or  Aureus  Xummus.  The  first  gold  coin  of  Rome,  struck 
B.C.  207,  value  in  American  gold  ahont  85.10,  knoAvu  in  later 
times  as  Solidus. — Prime  on   Coins. 

Baal,  or  Melkart.  A  copper  coin  of  Cosstra,  (PncEisnciAif), 
about  the  size  of  a  cent  or  halfpenny. —  C.  C.     Vol.  i,  594. 

Balahat.  a  gold  coin  struck  during  the  reign  of  Balan  in  Kash- 
mir, about  the  year  400  A.  J).  —  Numis.  Chron. 

Beard  Tokejt.  A  copper  coin  struck  by  Peter  the  Great,  of 
Russia,  in  1724,  to  ba  given  to  those  who  had  paid  the  tax  of  fifty 
roubles  every  year  for  the  privilege  of  wearing  their  beards. — Nu- 
mis.  Chron. 

Besants,  or  Bezants.  Circular  pieces  of  bullion,  generally  gold 
without  any  impression,  supposed  tc  represent  the  old  coinage  of  By- 
zantium, brought  home  by  the  Crusaders,  and  hence  of  freq[uent 
occurrence  as  Heraldic  Charges. —  C.  G.      YuL  2,  62. 

Bonnet  Piece.  A  gold  coin  of  James  the  Fifth,  of  Scotland, 
so  called  from  the  King's  head  being  decorated  with  a  bonnet  instead 
ofaci'own;  coined  i  i  J  539.  Weight,  72  grains.  From  their  beauty 
and  elegance  of  appearance  they  are  among  the  most  valued  curiosi- 
ties of  the  antiquary.— C.  C.     Vol.  2,  220. 

Britannia.  The  first  example  of  this  personification  is  on  a  Ro- 
man coin  of  Antoninus  Pius,  (died  IGl  A.D).  The  figure  of  Brit- 
annia next  reappears  on  the  copper  coinage  of  Charles  II.  (1665). 
The  celebrated  beauty,  Miss  Stewart,  afterward  Duchess  of  Rich- 
mond, is  said  to  have  served  as  model  to  the  engraver,  Philip 
Rceter.  The  Britannia  that  appears  on  the  reverse  of  British  cop- 
per coins  since  1852,  was  the  design  of  Mv.  Wyon. —  C.  C.  Vol.  2,  354. 

Byzantine,  is  the  term  applied  to  coins  of  the  Byzantine  em- 
pire. They  are  of  gold,  silver  and  bi'onzc  ;  bear  distinctions  of  impres- 
sion from  those  of  the  e  -rlier  Roman  coins.  -The  commercial  rela- 
tions of  the  Eastern  Empire  served  to  distribute  its  coinage  over  all 
the  then  known  world.  It  was  current  in  India,  as  well  as  in  the 
North  of  Europe.  The  standard  of  the  Byzantine  coins  were 
copied  ii  several  countries. —  C.  C.      Vol.  2,  p.  473. 

Black  ^Fonet.  This  was  copj)er  coin,  struck  at  Tours,  and  made 
current  in  Britain  in  the  reigns  of  Edward  II.  ana  Edward  III.  In 
the  year  1335,  reign  of  Edward  1 1  [  ,  t  !ie  use  of  tins  money  was  pi-o- 
hibited.  Another  species  of  Black  Money  called  TuRNEYS,  was  made 
at  private  mints  in  Ireland  in  the  latter  reign. 


126  The  Origin  of  Noted  Corns. 

Carolus.  Ah  old  English  hroid  piece  of  gold,  stvuc'c  iu  the  times 
of  Charles  I.,  and  Avorth  twenty  shillings  sterling.  Also  a  email 
cop])er  coin,  mixed  Avith  a  little  silver,  struck  iinder  Charles  VIII. 
of  France,  and  worth  twelve  deuiers. 

Caroline.  A  silver  coin  current  at  Naples,  Avorth  about  four- 
pence  sterling. 

Cent.  The  name  of  a  copper  coin  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
equal  to  the  hundredth  part  of  a  dollar.  'IMie  Cent  was  author- 
ized by  Act  of  Congress,  2d  April,  1792,  to  contain  eleven  penny- 
weigb's  of  copper,  and  half  cents  in  pi'uportion.  The  Cent  was,  by 
Act  of  1S57,  altered  to  72  grains,  eighty-eight  per  cent,  of  copper,  and 
twelve  per  cent,  of  nickel ;  the  coinage  of  the  half  cent  to  cease  from 
that  time. 

By  the  Act  of  18G4,  April  22d,  the  weight  of  the  cent  was  re- 
duced to  48  grains,  or  one-tenth  of  an  ounce  troy,  consisting  of  95  per 
cent,  copper  and  five  i)er  c;.'nt.  of  tin  or  zinc.  The  two  cent  coins 
were  at  the  same  time  authorized,  weight  9G  grains.  Th(;  foimer  be- 
came a  k'gal  tender  to  the  amount  of  ten  cents;  the  Litter  to  the 
amount  of  twenty  cents.  By  the  Act  of  1865,  the  coinage  of  three- 
cent  pieces  was  first  authorized,  thirty  grains  in  weight,  composed  of 
copper  and  nickel ;  a  legal  tender  to  the  extent  of  sixty  cents;  and 
the  one  and  two-cint  coins  became  each  a  legal  tender  by  the  same 
Act,  to  the  amount  of  fmr  cents  only.  By  the  Act  of  May,  18G6,  a 
five-cent  piece  Avas  authorized,  Aveight  S3venty-seve;i  and  16-100 
grains,  composed  of  copper  and  nickel.  This  coin  Avas  made  a  legal 
tender  to  the  amoxmt  of  one  dollar. 

Challies.  a  copper  coin  of  Ceylon,  sixty-four  being  equal  to  one 
RJiccdy.  —  Numis.   C/iron-,  K.   Y. 

Cowrie.  A  small  shell  found  at  the  Maldive  Islands,  used  in  some 
parts  of  India,  and  the  coast  of  Africa,  as  a  coin  ;  3,200  are  about  the 
value  of  one  rupee. — E.  B. 

Crown.  The  Crown  was  in  use  iu  England  for  several  centuries  ; 
generally  of  the  A'alue  of  five  shillings.  In  the  time  of  James  T. 
(1604),  the  Double  Crown  Avas  ordered,  value  10s. ;  the  Thistle  Crown, 
4s.;  Half  Crown,  23.  6d.  The  CroAvn  Avas  frequently  quoted  by 
Shakspeare.     Among  these  are  the  following  : 

"Ay,  and  more.     A  French  Crown  more." M.  for  M.  I.  C. 

"  The  paymrnt  cf  a  hundred  thousand  Crowns.'" L.  L.  LoST.  II.    1 . 

"  Bequeathed  mc  lij  willhul  a  poor  thousand  Crowns." As  Y.  LiKE  IT.   I.    !• 

^*  I  have  fice  hundred  Crowns,  the  thrifty  hire  I  saved"' "    "      "      "  II.  3. 

"  Til  add  three  thousand  Crowns  to  what  is  past  already" Ali.'s  Well.   III.  7. 

"  Crowns  in  my  purse  I  have,  and  goods  at  home." T.  SllREW.  I.  2. 

"  And  in  possession  twenty  thousand  Crotcns." '•         TI.  1. 

"  Hath  cost  mc  one  hundred  Crowns  since  supper  time.'" "         Y.  2. 

The  first  Crowns  issued  in  the  reign  of  George  III.  were  In  the  yeax' 
1817.     The  early  Crowns  coined  in  England  Avere  in  the  year  1552, 


The  Origin  of  Noted  Coins.  127 

(Edward  VI. ),  when  the  pound  weight  of  Crown  gohl  was  made 
into  132  CrownSi  A  pound  weight  of  silver  was  mide  into  12  Crowns 
or  24  Half  Crowns.  In  the  reign  of  Hexky  VIII.,  (1526),  a  gold 
Crown  of  the  Sun  was  oi-dered,  to  be  current  at  4s.  6d.  Also  the 
Crown  of  the  Donble  Rose,  value  5?.,  and  half  Crown,  2s.  6d.  In  the 
time  of  James  Second,  (1689),  Crown  pieces  of  brass  were  coined,  but 
were  soon  after  withdrawn.  A  few  Crowns,  of  the  white  metal,  were 
made  about  the  same  time,  year  of  the  battle  of  the  Boyne. 

Crusade.  A  coin  of  Portugal,  current  in  England  in  the  reign  of 
Mary.  This  coin,  with  a  long  cross,  was  ■'-alued  at  6s.  8d. ;  the  Pistolet, 
6s.  2d. ;  the  single  Crusade,  witi  a  short  cross,  6s.  8d.  Philip  of 
Spain,  married  to  Mart  in  1554,  brought  with  him  a  vast  number  of 
Portuguese  and  Spanish  coin. 

Dime  or  Disme.  A  silver  coin  of  the  United  States  op  Ameri- 
ca, value  ten  cents;  iiist  coined  in  the  year  1796.  The  weight  by  law 
was  41.3-5  grains,  and  made  900-1000  fine.  The  half  dime  was 
authorized  by  the  same  act,  2d  April,  1792.  My  the  Act  of  18o3,  the 
weight  of  the  dime  was  reduced  to  one-fifth  of  the  new  half  dollar, 
or  38.4-10  grains,  and  the  half  dime  reduced  accordingly  ;  and  the 
new  silver  coins  were  legal  tender  to  the  amount  of  five  dollars  only. 
The  three-cent  silver  coin  was  authorized  by  Act  of  March,  1851  ;  a 
legal  tender  to  the  amount  of  thirty  cents  only. 

Doit.  A  small  copper  coin  current  in  Scotland  during  the  reign 
of  the  Stuarts.  It  was  a  Dutch  coin,  (Duit),  and  in  value  160th  part 
of  a  guilder,  which,  estimated  at  20d.  sterling,  would  make  the  doit 
equal  in  value  to  one-eighth  of  a  penny  or  half  of  a  farthing.  This 
Cilia  is  said  to  have  been  common  in  the  early  part  of  the  reign  of 
James  the  Sixth  of  Scotland — C.  C.     Vol.  3,  618. 

Doles.  Sums  of  money  or  provisions  given  at  funerals,  a  custom 
formerly  carried  out  in  ENGLAND,  Wales,  Ireland,  and  Scotland, 
supposed  to  be  traced  to  the  sin  offerings  of  the  Hebrews — C.  G. 
Vol  3,  619. 

DoBRA.  The  half  dobra  of  Brazil,  coined  of  gold  by  Petrus 
Second;  date,  18:^2;  value,  c£l  15s.  lOJ^d.  sterling. 

Dollar.  A  silver  coin,  the  unit  of  the  United  States,  taken  from 
the  old  Spanish  dollar  or  piastre,  and  is  only  slightly  less.  In  1849, 
when  there  was  a  great  influx  of  gold  from  California,  gold  dollars 
were  largely  i-^sued.  The  origin  of  the  word  dillar  is  from  the  Ger- 
man Thaler,  Low  German  Dahler,  Danish  Daler. — C.  C.  Vol.  3, 
620. 

Dollar  is  also  the  nam  >  of  a  silver  coin  cf  Spain  and  of  the  United 
States,  worth  100  cents,  or  about  43.  2d.  sterling;  first  struck  in  the 
United  States  in  179fj.  The  Dollar,  (  Thaler),  appears  to  have  been 
originally  a  German  coin,  and  in  vadous  parrs  of  Germany  there 
are  coins  of  diff^reut  values,  so  called.  The  dollar  issued  by  the  mint 
of  the  United  States  weighs  412.5  grains,  and  is  a  legal  tender  for  any 
sum. 


128  ^'^'  Origin  i^  Noted  Cuins. 

The  dollar  seems  to  have  been  a  coin  k"OT7n  to  the  scholars  of  the 
sixteenth  century.  It  is  mentioned  in  ShaKspeaee's  "  Tempest;" 
also  in  "  Measure  Jor  Measure,"  and  ^^  Macbeth." 

"  To  vhrec  thousand  dollars  a  year.''* M.   FOR  M.  I.  2. 

"  Till  he  dishiir^id,  at  '■^aint  Colmes'  Inch, 

Ten  thousand  dollars  to  our  general  use.'" MACBETH.  I.  2. 

Dollars  of  412  grains  were  coined  in  the  reign  of  Ci'ARLEs  II.  for 
Scotch  circuLition. 

The  silver  dollar  was  first  authorized  by  Act  of  Congress  2d  April, 
1792,  to  contain  416  grains  of  standard  silver;  the  half  dollar  to  con- 
tain 20S  grains,  and  tlie  quarter  doHar  to  contain  104  grains.  By  the 
Act  of  1837,  January  ISth,  the  weight  of  the  silver  dollar  was  fixed 
at  412^  grains;  the  half  dollar,  206|  grains  ;  the  quarter  dollar,  103^ 
grains;  and  legal  tender  for  any  sum.  The  gold  dollar  was  author- 
ized by  act  of  Congress  in  March,  1849,  the  same  year  in  which  Cali- 
fornia gold  was  first  coined  at  the  mint.  The  gold  dollar  was  not 
found  a  convenient  coin  f  )r  circulation,  and  is  now  used  for  specimens 
only.     Three  dollar  gold  pieces  were  authonzed  in  the  year  J  ^'53. 

By  the  Act  of  Congress  of  21  February,  1853,  the  weight  of  the 
half  dollar  was  reduced  to  192  grains,  (instead  of  20(3i),  and  became 
a  legal  tender  f.i  sums  of  five  dollars  or  less.  The  weight  of  the 
quarter  dollar,  dimj  and  half  dime,  was  reduced  in  the  same  pro- 
portion. By  the  Act  of  3J  March,  18G5,  was  authorized  the  legend, 
"In  God  We  Trust,"  upon  all  coins  issued  thereafter. 

Daric.  a  very  pure  gold  piece;  value  about  c£l  Is.  lOd.;  sup- 
posed to  have  been  first  coined  by  Darius,  the  son  of  Hystaspes, 
during  his  stay  at  Babylon.  Soecimens  of  this  coin,  in  the  British 
Museum,  weigh  12.':<.4  grains,  and  128.6  grains.  They  are  stamped 
on  the  one  side  with  the  figure  of  a  kneiding  archer,  clothed  in  a  long 
robe,  with  a  spiked  crown  on  his  head,  holding  a  bow  in  his  left 
hand,  ?ud  an  arrow  in  his  right ;  and  on  the  other  side  with  a  sort  cf 
quadrata  incusa,  or  deep  cleft.  In  those  parts  of  the  Scripture 
written  after  the  Babylonish  captivity,  they  are  called  AJarkoni??'., 
and  by  the  Talmuuists,  Dar/conot/i.  There  were  also  silver  darics. 
—E.  B. 

Denarius.  Chief  silver  coin  amongst  the  ancient  Romans,  worth 
about  7:^(1.  sterling.  It  was  originally  of  62  grain,-*  weight,  and  was 
consid('r(;d  equivalent  to  the  Attic  Drachma,  which,  however,  weighed 
67  grains. — E   B. 

Denier.  A  small  French  copper  coin,  of  which  there  were 
twelve  to  a  .So/ or  S)/i'<.  Bhuic  D.'iiiers  (sometimes  called  grosses) 
were  current  in  the  reign  of  Henry  V.  Deaers  d'or,  called  also 
Salutes,  were  current  in  .\orm  indy  in  the  time  of  Henry  V.  at  25 
sols  each  ;  also  Deiui-S  ilutes,  Diiuers-Blnncs,  called  Doubles,  and 
Petit  Deners  Blancs. 

"By  critics  considered  a  quibble  upon  dolours. 


The  Origin  of  Noted  Coins.  120 

Double  This  was  solely  an  Irish  silver  ci)in,  of  tlic  reign  of 
Ednvaru  IV.  (1467),  made  of  silver,  havine;  the  print  of  a  crown  on 
one  side,  and  a  su:i  witli  a  rose  on  the  other;  ten  pieces  to  the  ounce 
of  silver,  and  value  eqiiil  to  oii;-ht  Dcniers. 

DouBLOo:^.  A  gold  coin  of  Spain,  Mexico,  and  many  of  the 
South  American  States;  value  from  §14.66  to  $16. — Eckfeldtj 
Manual  of  Gold  and  Silver  Coin. 

DoYTS.  This  was  a  copper  coin  of  France  and  Holland,  the  im- 
portation of  which  was  in  Englaiul  ])rohibited  in  the  year  1685.  All 
coins  of  this  order  might  be  seized  and  confiscated. 

Drachma,  an  ancient  Greek  silver  coin,  in  value  about  9^d.,  or 
equivalent  to  the  French  franc.  The  weight  of  the  Attic  drachma 
was  about  66  grains;  and  the  Eginetan  was  1  2-3  of  the  Attic.  An 
Alexandrian  drachma  wrigliing  l:;6  grains  has  also  been  found.  The 
weight  called  drachm,  used  by  the  modern  apothecary,  is  equivalent 
to  the  eighth  part  of  an  ounce,  or  GO  grains,  or  3  scruples — E.  B. 

Ducat.  A  foreign  coin  either  of  gold  or  silver  struck  in  the 
domains  of  a  Duke.  The  first  ducat  was  coined  by  LoKGiNUS, 
Governor  of  Italy,  who  revolted  against  the  Emperor  Justin  the 
Younger,  and  made  himself  Duke  of  Ravenna.  His  ducat  was  of 
very  pure  gold,  with  his  own  stamp,  and  as  Procopius  relates  were 
c/Iled  Ducati  {Ducats).  According  to  Du  Cange,  ducat;s  were  coined 
by  Roger,  King  of  Sicily,  in  the  year  1240.  The  Venetian  ducat 
was  first  struck  by  John  Dandolo  in  the  year  1280,  and  inscribed 
with  this  legend:  ^^  Sit  Tibi,  Christr',  datus,  quern  tu  regisiste 
Duratusy — E.  B. 

The  ducat  was  the  prevaling  gold  coin  of  Italy  for  several  cen- 
turies.    It  is  frequently  mentioned  by  Shakspkare,  and  in  ten  of 
his  plays. 

' '  He  has  three  thousand  ducats  a  year.'^ 12X11  NiGHT.     I.  3.- 

"  Be  cun:  Ing  in  the  working  this,  and  thy  foe  is  a 

thousand  ducats^^   MuCH  Aoo.  II.  2. 

"  Three  thousand  ducats  for  three  months,  and  Antonio  hound''' M.  V.     I.   3. 

"  Two  thousand  ducats  by  the  year  of  fruitful  land" T.  SuREW.  II.  1. 

"  For  forty  ducats  is  too  much  to  lose'^ C.  ERRORS.  IV.  .3. 

"  My  ten  thousand  ducats  are  yours'^ Cym.     I,  5. 

"  Hidd,  there  is  forty  ducats,  let  me  have  a  dram  of  poison" E.  AND  J.     V.   I. . 

"  Two  thousand  souls  and  twenty  thousand  ducats, 

will  not  debate  the  question  of  this  straw." HamleT.  IV.  4. . 

DccATEN.  A  gold  coin  of  Francis  Joseph  I,  of  Austria,  dated 
l8/)5,  worth  c£[.  17s,  7:|d.  sterling;  the  two  Ducaten  piece,  a  gold 
coin  of  the  reign  of  Joseph  II.  of  Austria,  1774,  worth  ]  Js.  9§d.  ster- 
ling. The  Hungarian  Ducat,  or  Ducat  of  Kremnitz,  a  gold  coin  of 
Ferdinand  of  Austria,  dated  1843,  worth  9s.  5^d.  sterling. 

DuCATOON.  A  silver  coin  struck  chiefly  in  Italy,  particularly  at 
Milan,  Venice,  Florence,  Genoa,  Lucca.  Mantua,  and  Parma;  though 
there  are  also  Ditch  cuid  Flemish  Ducatoons, 

y 


130  The  Origin  of  Koted  Coins. 

DUDU-MASF,  ?.  e.  Hook  money.  A  pure  silver  coin  of  the  reign 
of  Parakraaia  Ba HI',  who  governed  an  ancient  city  called  Palla- 
naiuowa,  in  the  Island  of  Ceylon,  about  the  ye.T  UKO.  The  king 
of  Kandy,  (Ceylon,)  allowed  his  subjects  to  fabricate  a  kind  of 
money,  from  pure  silver  wire,  in  the  sliape  of  a  fish  hook ;  about 
the  same  period,   the   value  was   about  8d.  sterling. 

Eagle.  Originally  a  sort  of  base  coin  which  was  current  in  ICE- 
LAND in  the  early  part  of  the  reign  Edward  ],  that  is,  about  the  year 
1272.  There  were  also  Lionincs,  Pol/ards,  Crocards,  ScaldingSj 
Rosades,  and  mmy  other  coins  of  the  same  sort,  named  according  to 
the  tigures  with  which  they  were  impressed.  The  current  coin  of  the 
kingdom  at  that  time  was  a  composition  of  copper  and  silver  in  deter- 
minate proportions ;  but  these  were  so  much  infeiior  to  the  standard 
of  that  tim?,  that  they  were  not  intrinsically  m  orth  half  so  much  as 
tho  others.  They  were  imported  from  Fraxce  and  other  countries. 
When  Edward  had  been  a  few  years  established  on  the  throne,  he 
set  up  mints  i  i  Ireland  for  coining  good  money,  and  then  prohiliited 
the  use  of  Et/gh^s  and  other  kinds  of  hase  coin,  making  the  penalty 
for  violation  death  and  confiscation  of  effects,  or  to  import  any  more 
of  them  into  the  kingdom.  Eagle  is  the  designation  of  the  princijial 
gold  coin  of  the  United  States;  weight  258  grains;  900-1000 
fine.  Tills  gold  coin  was  first  authorized  by  Act  of  Congress,  2d 
April,  1792.  The  half-eagle  was  authorized  at  the  same  time,  and  the 
quarter  eagle. 

Earnest,  or  Aries,  as  it  is  called  in  Scotland,  from  the  civil  law 
word  "Arrhoe  "  A  small  sum  of  money,  which  is  given  in  proof  of  an 
existence  of  a  bargain. —  C.  C.  YoLo,  734. 

Eight  Piece,  or  Piece  of  Eight.  A  name  once  popularly  given 
to  the  Spanish  dollar,  as  being  divided  into  eight  reals.  These  coins 
were  for  a  long  time  current  in  the  United  States  at  their  nominal 
value,  ;  Itliongh  reduced  by  wear  and  tear  ten  or  twenty  per  cent.  By 
the  Act  of  Congress  of  1S57,  they  were  receivable  at  par  and  were 
melted  at  the  mint,  and  were  thus  taken  out  of  circulation. — C.  C. 
Vol.  3,  797. 

Ecclesiastical  Coins.  These  were  issued  during  the  reign  of 
Stephen,  ( 1135-1 154),  and  bore  the  name  of  the  monarch,  and  of 
the  Archbishop  of  Cantkkbury,  of  the  value  of  a  penny.  (Ruding's 
An\als.)  The  grants  from  the  king  to  individuals  to  coin  money, 
were  confined  to  ecclesiastics  ;  to  archbishops  and  bishops,  and  also 
to  some  abbots  of  the  higher  order. 

Farthing.  A  smill  English  copper  coin  amounting  to  one- 
fourth  of  a  penny.  It  was  anciently  called  /?>«/•//! I'/i^',  as  being  the 
fourth  of  the  integer,  or  penny.  A  farthing  of  guld,  equal  in  value  to 
the  f  )urth  part  of  a  nohle^  or  20d.  iu  silver,  is  mentioned  in  statute  Olh. 
Henry  V.  ffirthings  were  coined  in  the  reign  of  Eeward  III,  and 
were  also  known  to  the  Saxons.     The  first  farthings  legally  coined 


The  Origin  of  Noted  Coins.  131 

were?  in  the  time  of  Jambs  I.,  as  farthing  tokens  of  brass  and  copper, 
who  granted  the  right  of  coinage  of  farthing-tokens  to  Lady  Har- 
RrNTGTOJr  in  ]6I4.  8imil;ir  ])ower-i  were  granted  to  other  ladies  sub- 
sequently The  silver  farthings  totally  ceased  in  the  time  of  Ed- 
ward YI. 

Florix.  Was  the  name  of  a  goid  coin  first  struck  in  Florence  in 
the  thirteentii  century.  It  was  the  size  of  a  ducat,  and  Imd,  on  one 
side  a  hly,  and  on  the  other  the  head  of  JoHX  the  Baptist.  Some 
derive  the  name  from  the  city,  and  others  from  the  llowt^r.  These  coins 
were  soon  imitate  I  all  over  Europe  Florins  were  coined  in  England 
as  early  as  the  reign  of  Edward  IIL  (1327-1377). —  C.  C.  The 
Florin  of  Germany"  and  Austria  is  a  silver  coin,  (sometimes  called 
Gulden),  of  various  values.  Of  Leipsic  rate  16.90,  the  value  was  for 
specie  Florin  54  cents  ;  convention  rate  17.53,  for  specie  Florin  48  6-10 
cents.  Convention  rate,  1837-1838,  for  Florins  39.7-10  cents. 
The  Florin  or  Guilder  of  the  Netherlands,  a  silver  coin  of  the 
government  of  William  V.  is  valued  at  39.^  cents  ;  of  the  Batavian 
Reptblic,  38  2-10  cents.  The  Florin  coined  at  the  royal  Mint, 
British  value,  one-tenth  of  a  pound  sterling. — EcJifeldfs  Mcmual. 

Franc.  A  French  silver  coin.  This  term  was  first  introduced 
by  Henry  III.  in  1575,  who  ordered  a  coinage  of  francs,  of  the 
value  of  20  sols  or  sous  each.  This  coin  was  afterwards  disused, 
but  by  the  law  of  1  803  it  was  re-coined.  The  name  was  long  employ- 
ed in  common  parlance  as  a  synonym  for  livrc.  Its  present  value  is 
about  18§^  cents. — Echfel  fs  Manual  of  Coins. 

The  franc  which  (since  1795,  Avhen  it  supplanted  the  Livre  Tur- 
raoi.y),  forms  the  unit  of  tlie  French  monetary  system,  has  also  been 
adopted  by  Bklgifm  and  Switzerland,  value  about  9^,d.  sterling  or 
ISa  cents.— 0   C.    Vol.  4,  469. 

Fredericks  D'Or,  and  Christians  D'Oi-.  A  Danish  g)ld  coin, 
value  16s.  3d.  sterling. — Martin  and  Trid/ner's  Manual. 

Fwang,  of  Siam.     A  silver  coin  worth  about  3^d.  sterling. 

Gazette.  A  Venetian  coin,  worth  something  less  than  ^d.  sterling. 
The  name  was  afterwards  applied  to  a  small  newspaper,  that  was  sold 
in  Venice  for  that  sum. —  C.  C.      Vol.  4,  653. 

Groat  An  Old  English  silver  coin,  equal  to  four  pence.  Other 
nations,  as  the  Dutch,  Poles,  Saxons,  Bohemians,  and  French, 
have  likewise  their  groats,  groots,  groschen,  gros,  and  the  like.  In 
England,  in  the  Saxon  times,  no  silver  coin  larger  than  a  penny  was 
struck,  nor  after  the  conquest  till  the  reign  of  Edward  the  Third, 
who,  a'lout  the  year  1351,  i^o\\\(n\.  grosses,  ov  great  fieces,  which  were 
current  for  four  pence  each  ;  and  so  the  matter  stor  d  till  the  reign  of 
Henry  VIIL,  who  in  1504  first  coined  shillings.  —  E.  B. 

In  the  year  1227,  (Henry  III.),  the  coinage  of  tho  English  groat 
was  ordered  ;  also,  in  the  year  1249  the  groat  of  silver  was  ordered. 
The  groat  was  a  common  coin  in  early  English  days.  It  is  mentioned 
nine  times  in  Shakspeare  : 


132  The  Origin  of  Noted  Coins. 

"  Seven  groats  in  mill- sir pe.nccs."' M.  Wives.  I.  I. 

'•  Asjit  as  ten  groats  is  for  the  hand  of  an  attorney." ALL'S  Weli,.  II.  2. 

"  A  half  faced  groat  fite  hundri  d  pound  a  year .'" K.  JOHN.  I.   1. 

"  Tlic  che^-.pest  of  us  is  ten  groats  too  dear." RiCH.  11.  V.  5. 

"  What  money  is  in  my  purse?     Seven  groats  and  twopence."  —  2  Hen.  IV.  I.  2. 

"  Hold  yon,  there  is  a  groat  to  heal  your  pate." Henr\'  V.  V.   1. 

'' I  talce  thy  groat,  in  earnest  of  revenge." "         "    V.  1. 

"  Or  any  groat  I  hoarded  to  my  tise  " Hen.  VI.   III.  1. 

*'  Things  created  to  buy  and  sell  with  groats." Cou.  III.  2. 

Half  groats  were  coiued  in  the  reign  of  Edward  I,,  about  the  year 
1279.  In  his  time  the  sterHng  was  ordained  to  be  equal  to  thirty -two 
grains  of  wheat  in  Aveight.  Leathern  money,  stamped,  was  in  use  at 
the  same  period,  Tiie  groats,  half  groats,  penny  and  halfpenny, 
coined  in  Scotlajs"D,  were  in  the  reign  of  Richard  II.  (1390),  de- 
clared to  be  current  at  only  one-half  their  former  values. 

Among  the  treasonable  charges  against  Cardinal  "Wolset,  year 
1529,  was  that  of  placing  the  Cardinal's  hat  on  the  coin  of  groats, 
''  which  like  deed  hath  not  yet  been  seen  to  have  been  done  bv  any 
subjec'i  within  your  realm  before  this  ^ime.*'  The  coin  of  Three 
Groats  were  struck  at  Tournat,  France,  in  the  same  reign.  At 
this  time  the  harp  first  appeared  upon  the  Irish  money. 

Guoss.  In  the  reign  of  Edward  III.  (1327-I.'!77),  the  Gross  was 
coined  of  the  value  of  four  sterlings,  and  the  Half  Gross  of  the  value 
of  two  sterlings.  The  Gross,  Half  Gross,  Quarter  Gross,  and 
Petit  Deniers,  were  in  use  in  ihe  fifteenth  century. 

Guilder  or  Gulden.     See  ilorin. 

Guinea.  A  gold  coin  formerly  struck  and  current  in  Britaln", 
and  so  denomiaated  because  the  gold  of  which  the  first  specimens 
were  struck,  (Temp.  Carolus  II.),  was  brought  from  the  coast  of 
Guinea  ;  and  for  a  like  reason  it  originally  bore  the  impression  of  en 
ek'phaut.  The  viluo  o'l  the  gaiue  i  varied  greatly  at  diff3rent  periods, 
but  latterly  it  was  worth  twenty-one  shillings.  Its  weight  was  five 
pennyweights,  9.4125  grains.  Oa  the  introduction  of  the  sovereign — 
again  coined  in  1817 — the  old  guinea  coinage  was  gradually  super- 
seded in  Great  Britain. — E.  B. 

In  the  year  17 IS,  (George  I.),  a  new  coin  called  a  quarter  guinea 
was  made,  but  they  attained  a  small  circulation  only.  In  the  year 
1649,  in  Cromwell's  time,  the  parliainent  had  under  consideration  a 
coinage  made  from  the  gold  from  GuiNr. 

Hearth  Monet.  An  old  tax  in  Engt,and,  abolished  during  the 
reigu  of  William  and  Marv. — C.  C      Vol.  5,  279. 

IIlrring  Silver.  A  composition  in  money  in  lieu  of  supplying  a 
religious  house  with  a  certain  number  of  lierring.s. — C.  C.      Vol.  347. 

loHlBA,  of  Japan.     A  silver  coin  ;    value  i.bout  Is.  5:|d.  sterling. 


The  Origin  of  Noted  Coins.  133 

Itzabone.  a  silver  coin  of  Japak;  value  two  or  three  to  a 
dollar.— C.  C.      Vol.  5,  687. 

Indian  Money.  Au  Englis^h  coinage,  was  made  about  the  year 
1601,  (Elizabeth),  known  as  Indian  money,  or  Portcullis  money, 
for  use  by  the  East  India  Company,  equal  to  the  Spanish  piastre,  and 
the  half,  quarter,  and  half  quarter. 

Krone,  of  Francis  Joseph  I.  of  Austria.  A  gold  coin  dated 
1859  ;  value  c£I  7s.  3fd.  sterling;  also  half  krones,  date  1858  ;  value 
13s.  7|d.  sterling. 

KuFic  Coins  The  earliest  of  the  Mahomed  an  coins,  first  struck 
in  the  year  638  A.  D.  (gold  and  silver). —  C.  C.      Vol.  5,  823. 

Lamb.  An  Egyptian  weight,  of  the  form  of  a  lamb,  used  for  the 
weighing  of  gold  and  silver  many  centuries  before  the  coinage  of 
money.  It  is  supposed  in  the  early  pastoral  ages  that  the  value  of 
cattle  was  the  earliest  mode  of  fixing  the  value  of  money  ;  the  word 
"  pecuniary"  is  derived  from  the  Latin  word  pecunia,  money,  and  this 
was  derived  from  2^(cus  (a  flock  of  sheep  or  cattle). 

LiSBONiNE.     A  former  name  for  the  Moidore. — C.  C.      Vol.  6,  511 

Lusshebournes,     These   were  base   coins  brought  into  England 

from  the  continent  in  the  reign  of  Edward  III.,  and  were  prohibited 

by  various  acts  of  Parliament.     The   death  penalty  awaited  those 

detected  in  circulating  them. 

Mancus.  a  name  given  to  an  ancient  Arabic  coin  in  gold  and 
silver. 

Mark.  The  Mark  was  a  Scottish  silver  piece  in  the  times  of 
James  I.  (1603-16-20) ;  value  thirteen  halfpence.  The  mark  was  a 
Danish  mode  of  computation,  and  was  introduced  among  the  Saxons 
in  the  reign  of  Aelfred.  The  silver  Mark  was,  early  in  the  tenth 
century,  estimated  at  one  hundred  pennies,  and  in  the  year  1194  at 
one  hundred  and  sixty  pennies.  This  valuation  was  continued  to  the 
present  century. 

Mohur.  a  gold  coin  of  Hindustan.  Those  dated  1818  of  the 
Bengal  Presidency  were  worth  SS.08;  of  the  Madras  Presi- 
dency, $7.10;  of  the  Bombay  Presidency,  $7.09.  Tliose  dated 
1835,  during  the  reign  of  WiLLiAM  IV.,  the  value  is  S7.10. — 
Eckfeldfs  Manual. 

Moeda  D'Ouro,  of  Brazil,  a  gold  coin  of  Petrus  I. ;  date,  1824  ; 
value,  661  Os.  Id.  sterling. 

Moidore.  A  Portugese  gold  coin,  first  struck  in  1688  ;  in  the 
year  1689,  under  the  reign  of  Peter  IL,  its  value  was  86.45  ;  under 
the  snme  reign  those  struck  in  1705  the  value  was  $6.59  ;  during  the 
reign  of  John  V.  those  dating  from  1714  to  1726  were  valued  $6,48. 
Tliia  com  coutiuued  to  be  struck  until  the  year  1732. 


234  The  Origin  of  'Noted  Coins. 

Mtjssawwa,  Kliaraz,  or  Glass  Beads.  The  currency  of  Abts- 
SDflA,  about  thirty  strings  being  worth  one  dollar'. — Numis.  Chron.j 
A    Y. 

Nandio-GUIN.  a  silver  coin  of  Japat^,  weighs  160  grains,  and 
Worth  about  Ibrty  cents  United  States  currency. 

Nr  Shoo.  Japanese  Coin,  partly  gold  and  silver ;  value  9d. 
sterling. 

Nobles.  These  were  coined  in  the  reign  of  Edward  III. 
(1327 — 1377);  with  others  termed^maille  nobles  and  ferling  nobles. 
At  that  time  the  pound  weigbt  of  gold  was  coined  into  39i  nobles,  at 
six  shillings  and  eight  pence  each  —  equal  to  dfilS  3s.  4d.  In  the  year 
1345,  the  noble  was  in  value  half  a  mark,  six  shillings,  six  pence  half 
penny. 

The  new  nobles  coined  in  the  reign  of  Edward  IV.,  coined  in  the 
year  1465,  were  also  called  Rials,  a  name  given  to  a  French  coin  be- 
cause it  bore  the  figure  of  the  King  in  his  royal  robes.  The  George 
Noble  and  <he  Crown  of  the  Double  Rose,  were  first  ordained  about 
the  year  1526,  by  Henry  VIII. 

Obang  of  Jatan.  Gold  used  only  for  imperial  presents ;  value 
^£15     Os.  7^d.  sterling. 

Para.  A  coin  of  copper,  silver  or  mixed  metal,  though  most 
generally  of  copper,  in  use  in  Turkey  and  Egypt  ;  it  is  the  fortieth 
part  of  a  Piastre;  value  about  1-18  of  a  penny  sterling. —  C.  C. 
Vol.  7,  254. 

Peso,  or  Piastre  of  eight  Reals.  Silver,  of  Central  America  ; 
value  4s.  3jd.  sterling;  date  1S24.  The  Peso  of  gold  of  Central 
America,  date  ISOO,  value  3s.  9§d.  sterling. 

Peters  Pence.  A  name  given  to  a  tribute  which  was  collected  for 
the  Roman  Pontiff,  in  reverence  of  the  memory  of  St.  Peter  ;  the 
first  idea,  however,  of  an  annual  tribute  appears  to  have  come  from 
England  (A.  D.  721).  An  effort  was  made  since  the  Roman  Reto- 
LTJTioN  of  1848  to  revive  this  tribute,  and  with  some  success.— C.  C 
Vol.  7,  446. 

Penny.  This  coin  was  known  to  the  Ancients  B  C.  It  is  fre- 
quently mentioned  in  the  Scriptures.  It  was  known  as  an  English 
coin  in  the  seventh  century,  and  appears  in  the  laws  of  Ina,  King  of 
the  West  Saxons,  about  the  year  688.  Its  probable  origin  is  from 
the  word  pendo,  to  weigh,  and  is  considered  the  original  unit  of  the 
English  currency.  Two  hundred  and  forty  pennies,  it  is  supposed, 
were  fabricated  out  of  a  pound  weight  of  silver,  giving  thus  24  grains 
to  each,  and  making  the  pound  consist  of  5,760  grains.  Hence  the 
term  "  pennyweight,"  equal  to  24  grains,  air;l  th(>  two  hundred  and 
fortieth  part  of  a  pound.  (See  Historij  of  thS  Coinage,  ante,  p.  8  ) 
The  first  coinage  of  gold  in  England  was  in  the  year  1257,  in  the 


The  Origin  of  Noted  Coins.  135 

reign  of  Henry  III.  This  was  the  gold  penu}'.  whicli  weighed  two 
sterlings,  and  was  curreut  for  twenty  pence.  The  gold  penny  was 
coined  during  the  next  ten  years,  and  was  raised  in  value  from  20  to 
24  pence. 

The  Galley  Halfpence  wei-e  imported  into  England  in  large  quan- 
tities about  the  year  1414,  by  orders  of  the  '^merchants  of  Venice," 
and  were  treated  as  fraudulent  coin.  The  Rose  Pen'CE  were  coined 
in  England,  for  circulation  in  Ireland,  tima  of  Philip  and  Mart 
(lo54),  but  were  withdrawn  from  use,  except  in  Ireland,  two  years 
afterwards.  The  first  Irish  mint  was  authorized  in  the  time  of 
Charles  II.  (I'')G2),  with  the  penny^  two  penny,  and  three  penny 
pieces.  The  halfpenny  to  have  a  crown  on  one  side  and  the  harp  on 
the  other.  The  Scotch  mint  was  at  the  same  time  authorized  to  coin 
the  twenty  Mark  piece;  of  gold  ;  the  four  and  five  Mark  pieces.  No 
gold  was  coined  in  Scotland  in  that  reign.  Tin  pence  and  half  pence 
were  coined  in  the  reign  of  William  and  Mart.  Shakespeare 
brought  the  penny  into  line,  in  various  of  his  plays.  He  is  led  to 
say  : 

"  /  icill  not  lend  thee  a  penny.'^ M.  WiVKS.   II.  2. 

"  A  penny.     JVo,  Fll give  yoii  a  remuneration." L.  L.  LoST.   III.   1. 

"  Methinks,   I  have  given  him  a  penny." As  You  Like  It.  II.   5. 

"  You  hcg  a  single  penny  more ;  come,  you  shall  ha't All's  Well.  V.  2. 

"  Jfliat  penny  hath  Rome  bjrnc,  ichat  men  provided ?"' K.  JOH\.  V.  2. 

''  A  friend  i'  the  court  is  hetler  than  a  penny  in  thy  purse." 2  Hen.  IV.  V.   1. 

"  Nor  ever  had  one  penny  bribe  from  France." 2  Hex.  VI.  III.   1. 

"  There,  take  an  inventory  of  all  I  have,  to  the  last  penny.''' ..liEyRY  YIII.  III.  2. 
"■  No,  truly,  sir ;   not  a  penny." R.  &  Jlfliet.  II.   4. 

Pennt-Poise.  This  was  a  coin  in  the  reign  of  JoHX  (1199-1216), 
wanting  one-eighth  of  a  penny,  used  as  a  means  of  detecting  light 
weight  or  clipping  in  other  pennies.  Those  coins  detected  to  be  of 
light  weight  or  clipped  were,  by  law,  to  be  bored  through,  and  the 
owner  or  possessor  was  liable  to  be  attached  as  a  thief. —  Rwding's 
Anvals. 

Pistole.  The  Pistole  was  in  use  in  various  countries  in  the 
seventeenth  century.  A  gold  coinage  of  pistoles  was  made  in  Scot- 
land in  the  reign  of  William  III.  Also,  half-pistoles,  both  with  the 
king's  head,  but  not  with  the  numeral  III  attached.  The  Scotch 
deciding  that  although  he  was  the  third  William  of  England,  and  the 
second  of  Sc  itland,  he  was  the  first  William  of  Great  Britain. 

QuiNARius.  A  small  Roman  coin,  equal  to  half  the  denarius,  and 
consequently  worth  about  three  pence,  three  farthings  of  English  mo- 
ney. It  was  called  quinarius,  because  equal  in  value  to  five  asses, 
just  as  the  denarius  was  named  because  containing  ten. — E.  B. 

Rappen.  a  small  Swiss  coin,  made  of  an  alloy  of  copper  and 
tin,  value  1-100  of  a  modern  Franc. — C.  C.  Vol.  S,  115. 


136  Tlie  Origin  cf  Xotc  d  Coins. 

* 

Real.  A  Spanish  coin  of  two  sorts  ;  first  the  real  of  plate,  value 
about  4  3-4d  sterling  ;  and  tlic  real  of  Yellon,  -\vortli  about  2  l-2d. 
sterling. 

RiDEK.  The  Rider  was  a  gold  coin  of  the  reign  of  Henrt  YT, 
1422,  &c. ;  valued  at  4s.  At  the  same  time  the  following  coins  were 
in  use  :  the  Ducat,  4s.  2d.  ;  the  Joan,  4s.  2d.;  the  Salute,  4s.  2d.; 
the  Crown,  3s.  4d. ;  the  Burgoinge  Nf:blo,  Gs.  8d.  In  Ireland  the 
Rider  was  valued  at  five  shillings,  and  foreign  coins  became  in  general 
use — the  Ducat,  Leo,  Crown,  Crusado.  A  Rose-Real  Avas  coined 
by  Henry  VII,  while  in  France,  having  the  arms  of  France  in  the 
centre  of  the  double  rose. 

Rix  Dollar  of  Ceylox,  silver,  worth  Is.  Gd.  sterling,  dated  1821, 

Ring  Money.  The  precious  metals,  gold  and  silver,  have  been 
used  from  the  times  of  ancient  Egypt  as  ornaments,  and  as  occasion 
may  require  they  have  been  used  as  a  circulating  medium.  Thus,  on 
some  ancient  tombs  in  Egypt  carvings  have  been  found,  of  its  being 
weighed,  and  in  the  11th  veise  of  the  42d  chapter  of  Job,  it  is 
mentioned  that  each  of  Job's  friends  brought  him  an  earing  or 
lamb,  (see  Lamb).  At  the  present  time  in  Eastern  countries  where 
there  is  no  method  of  investment,  the  surplus  coin  is  made  up  into 
ornaments,  and  when  necessity  requires  it,  there  is  no  difficulty  in  or 
trouble  of  disposing  of  them,  as  the  merchant  takes  them  as  readily  as 
coin.  CiESAR  describes  Ring  Money  as  having  been  used  in  Eng- 
land and  other  parts  of  Europe.  — P/7'we  on  Coins  and  Medals. 

Rheedy.     a  silver  coin  of  Ceylon,  value  7d.  sterling. 

Rouble.  A  Russian  coin.  A  gold  Rouble  of  date  of  1 779  is  worth 
74  9-10  cents;  a  silver  Rouble  of  1837-38,  is  worth  75  4-10  cents.— 
EckfddVs  Manual. 

Rupee.  A  silver  coin  of  Hindostan,  first  struck  by  native  ju-inces, 
and  called  the  Sicca  Rupee;  was  worth  about  47  cents.  The  rupee 
now  coined  by  the  British  government  in  India  is  worth  44  5-10 
cents. — Erhfeldfs  Manual. 

Salung,  or  MiAM.  A  silver  coin  of  Siam,  worth  about  7^d.  ster- 
ling. 

Salute.  A  new  coin  entitled  the  Salute  was  coined  by  Henry  V. 
in  the  year  1422,  by  virtue  of  his  j)ower  as  Regent  of  France  by  the 
treaty  of  Troyes.  On  this  coin  the  arms  of  England  and  France  were 
stamped. 

Shilling.  The  name  of  a  money  in  use  throughout  many 
European  States,  partly  as  a  coin,  and  partly  as  a  money  of  account. 
In  all  probability  the  name  as  well  as  the  thing  itself  is  derived  from 
the  Roman  Solidus,  which,  with  the  other  remains  of  Roman  institu- 
tions, was  adopted  by  the  Francs  and  other  German  nations.  Others 
give  more  fanciful  derivations,  as  from  vf/e/lm  to  ring,  on  account  of 
the  particular  ring  of  the  coin,  and  from  St.  Killinn,  whose  effigy  was 
Stamped  on  the  shilling  of  Wurzburg.      The  Solidus  shilling  of  the 


Tlie  Origin  of  Noted  Coins.  137 

middle  ages  has  suffered  various  degrees  of  diminution  in  the  different 
countries.  Thus  the  English  shilling  (silver)  is  one-twentieth  of  a 
pound  sterling.  The  Danish  copper  shilling  is  one  ninety -sixth  (1-96) 
of  a  Ryks-daler,  and  equal  to  one-fourth  of  one  j)enny  sterling  ;  and 
the  Swedish  shilling  is  cue  forty-eighth  of  a  Ryks-daler,  equal  to  one 
half  penny  sterling. 

In  Mecklenburg,  Slesvig  Holstein,  Hamburg,  and  Lubeck,  the 
shilling  is  used  as  a  fractional  money  of  account,  the  one-tenth  part  of 
a  mark,  and  one  forty-eighth  of  a  thaleir,  and  as  small  silver  change, 
each  coin  being  a  shade  less  than  one  penny  sterling. — C.  C. 

A  shilling  coinage  was  ordered  in  the  time  of  Elizabeth  (1568) 
for  the  use  of  the  Irish,  equal  to  9d.  English,  but  to  circulate  in  Ire- 
land at  12d.  This  was  soon  withdrawn  as  a  base  coin.  The  Harp 
shilling  in  the  times  of  James  I.  was  valued  at  16d.  Irish,  or  12d. 
English.  The  Pine  tree  shilling,  coined  "  by  a  parcel  of  honest 
dogs  "  [according  to  Chakles  II.],  in  the  colony  of  Massachusetts,  in 
the  time  of  Cromwell.  The  hve  shilling  pieces,  or  crowns,  were 
ordered  by  Henry  VIII.  in  the  year  1526. 

The  Shilling  was  in  numerous  instances  introduced  in  Shaks- 
peare's  plays  ;  among   others  were  the  following  : 

"  Two  shovel  boards  that  cost  me  two  shilling  and  two  pence'' M.  Wives  I.  1. 

'^  I  had  rather  than  forty  shillings  I  had  my  hook  of  songs." "  I.  1. 

"  I  had  rather  than  forty  shillings  I  had  such  a  leg." 12TH  NiGHT.  II.  3. 

''  Five  shillings  to  one  on't,  with  any  man." MucH  Add.  III.  3. 

"  Every  tod  yields  — pound  and  odd  shillings.'" W.  Tale.  IV.  2. 

"  Thoucam'st  not  of  the  blood  royal,  if  thou  darest  not  stand  for  ten 

shillings." I.  Hen.  IV.  I.  2. 

'' Eight  shillings  and  sixpence." "  II.  4. 

"  Now,  as  I  am  a  true  woman,  holland  of  eight  shillings  an  ell.. ..  "  III.   3. 

*' And   did'st   thou  not   kiss   me,    and  bid  me  fetch  thee    thirty 

shillings?" 2  Hen.  IV.  II.  1. 

"  Q^uoit  him  down,  Bardolph,  like  a  shove-groat  shilling."  * "  II.  4. 

"  And  here  is  four  Harry  ten  shillings  in  French  crowns  for  you."  "         III.  2. 

"  You  will  pay  me  the  eight  shillings  I  icon  of  you  at  betting." —  Henry  V.   II.  1. 

"  And  one  shilling  to  the  pound,  the  last  subsidy." 2  Hen.  VI.  IV.  7. 

"  ril  undertake,  may  see  away  their  shilling  richly  in   two  short 

hours" Henry  VIII. 

Such  was  the  debasement  of  the  Shilling  in  the  times  of  Stephen, 
(A.D.  1135-1154',  that  in  ten  or  more  shillings  the  value  of  ten 
pence  could  scarcely  be  found.  At  that  period,  each  castle  had  its 
own  mint  — Rudi?ig's  Annals. 

Sous  Marques. — Foreign  copper  coins  known  as  Tempes,  and 
Sous  Marques,  and  gold  and  silver  Johannes  and  Dollars,  were 
counterfeited  in  England  for  circulation  in  the  British  West  Indies, 
but  the  coinage  was  quite  limited. 

*  Shove-groat  in  the  33d  year  of  Henry  VIII  was  a  new  game — the  term 
Shove-groat  shilling  was  applied  to  smooth  coins  of  shillings. 


1 38  The  Origin  of  Noted  Coins. 

ScuDo.  An  Italian  coin  ;  gold  sciidi  wore  coined  in  Rome  in  1799, 
value  832. 6  i  0-10.  ^^ilvei-  coins  of  this  denomination  AvereaIt?o  coined 
in  Rome,  in  the  years  1799,  lSOC-02  and  1815,  value  from  98  8-10 
cents,  to  Sl.Ol  8-10.  Scndo  of  six  lire,  a  silver  coin,  of  the  reign  of 
Maria  Thekesa,  dated  Milan,  1778,  value  85  1-10  cents.  Scndo  of 
the  Cisalpine  Republic,  dated  1798,  value  85  6-10  cents. — Eckfeldfs 
Manual. 

Shekel.  The  name  of  a  coin  current  among  the  ancient  Jews. 
The  value  of  the  silver  shekel  was  2s.  3|d.  sterling;  tlie  golden 
shekel   was  supposed  to  be  worth  XI  16  6d.  sterling. — E.  B. 

SoLIDUS.     (See  Aureus.) 

Sequin  or  Zecchino.  A  Roman  gold  coin  of  the  reign  of  Plus 
VI,  date  1775-83,  value  S2.25  2-10.  Also  a  Tuscan  and  Venetian 
gold  coin,  value  S2.27  6-10  to  $2.30  1-10,  sometimes  called  Zecchino 
Gigliato,  dates  1765-79  and  1824-39.  There  are  also  Turkish  gold 
coins,  denominated  Sequin  Founilook,  value  Si. SO  9-10,  and  Siquin 
Zotnahboub,  value  81.24,  the  dates  of  which  are  1789. — EckJcldVs 
Manual. 

Skeattae,  (or  Scata).  A  silver  coin  introduced  by  the  Saxons 
to  England  after  the  departure  of  the  Roman  legions;  it  was  probably 
an  imitation  of  some  Byzantine  coin,  value  one  twenty-fifth  part  less 
than  one  penny  sterling. — Humphrey' s  Manual. 

Souverains  D'Or.  a  gold  coin  of  Joseph  Second  of  Austria, 
issued  for  the  former  Austrian  Netheidands,  value  JiX  7s.  94d.  sterling, 
The  English  Sovereign  came  into  use  in  the  fifteenth  century  ( 1 489),  in 
the  time  of  Henry  VII ;  the  half  Sovereign  was  coined  also  in  the  reign 
of  Henry  Vlf,  (1504).  The  words  Dei  Gratia  (by  the  Grace  of  God) 
wei-e  first  placed  upon  the  English  coins  about  the  year  1377,  (Ed- 
ward III).  lathe  days  of  Henry  VIII,  the  Sovereign  was  valued 
at  22s.,  the  Riall,  at  lis.,  the  Noble,  at  7s.  4d.  A  new  Sovereign  was 
coined  in  July,  1817,  with  the  image  of  St.  George  and  the  Dragon, 
and  the  motto,  ^'honi  soit  qui  mal y  pense,''  value  20s.  The  silver  tokens 
previously  issued  were  now  called  in  and  new  coin  given  in  exchange. 
The  first  gold  brought  to  the  royal  Mint  for  coinage  was  in  the  18th 
year  of  Edward  III,  consisting  probably  of  foreign  coins  or  bul- 
lion imported  by  merchants.  The  first  gold  coinage  of  the  realm  is 
stated  to  have  been  in  the  year  1257,  or  41st  year  of  Henry  III. 
{^Ruding's  Annals.) 

Styca.  An  Anglo  Saxon  coin  of  Ethelred,  Avho  began  to  reign 
946  A.  D. —  Xumis.  Chron. 

Tao  and  Poo  Money,  silver,  of  China,  struck  2205,  B.  C  The 
Tao  money  was  shaped  like  a  knife  ;  the  Poo  money  was  of  a  form 
rather  difficult  to  describe. — Numis.  Chron. 

Thaler.  The  Kronenthaler  is  silver,  of  Francis  Second  of 
Austria,  issued  for  the  Austrian  Netherlands  ;  date  1797  ;  value 
4s.  7^d.  sterling.     The  Maria  Theresa  Thaler,  or  so-called  Levant 


The  Origin  of  Noted  Coins.  139 

Thaler,  silver  ;  date  1780  ;  still  issued  for  tlie  Levant  trad'- ;  value 
4s.  2§d. sterling.  The  Convention's  T/i^/Zer  (Austria)  silver,  of  Francis 
first ;  date  1815  ;  value  4s.  2d.  Also  of  Ferdinand  first ;  date  1848; 
same  value. 

Testooxs.  These  were  in  use  in  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.  (1544), 
when  the  pound  of  gold  was  coined  into  48  shillings  ;  in  Testoons 
Groats,  Pence,  Half-Pence,  and  Farthings.  In  April,  1548,  all 
Testoons,  (or  Testons),  or  Twelve  Pence,  were  called  in,  because 
grossly  counterfeited. 

Sir  William  Sharington  and  other  officers  of  the  Mint  were  about 
this  time  convicted  of  counterfeiting  extensively.  The  Testoons  and 
Groats  were  also  entirely  Avithdrawn  from  circulation,  by  proclama- 
tion, in  the  year  1561,  (Elizabeth).  At  this  tii-e  the  Mill  and 
Screw  were  used  for  the  coinage,  which  succeeded  the  hammered 
coins. 

TiCAL,  of  Siam.     Silver;  worth  about  2s.  6d.  sterling;  date  1861. 

Tokens.  These  were  used  largely  in  the  fourteenth  and  fifteenth 
centuries  by  individuals  to  supply  the  need  of  small  coins.  In  the 
time  of  Elizabeth  (1574)  these  were  become  very  common,  and  com- 
plained of  loudly — made  of  lead,  tin,  latten,  and  leather.  A  license 
Avas  granted  to  the  city  of  Bristol  to  coin  tokens  of  copper.  The 
leaden  tokens  {Vlumhocs  Anglice),  current  in  the  times  of  He.ii'y 
VII.  and  VIII.,  were  still  in  use.  Early  in  the  seventeenth  century 
lead  tokens  of  a  farthing  were  used  ;  but  all  these  were  abolished  by 
proclamation  in  May,  1813. 

In  the  years  17:::; 8-9,  (George  II.),  the  scarcity  of  small  silver  coins 
induced  traders  and  others  in  the  North  of  England  to  coin  copper 
tokens  of  two  pence,  and  silver  tokens  of  three  pence.  In  the  time  of 
George  III.,  immediately  after  the  suspension  of  the  Bank  of  Eng- 
land, the  government  authorized  the  coinage  of  ^'  Bank  of  Ireland 
tokens,  (of  silver),  six  shillings;"  also  a  large  quantity  of  silver  dol- 
lars. Also,  for  Ireland,  the  silver  token  of  five  jience  and  ten  pence ; 
also  the  Bank  Dollar  token,  5s.  each.  And  in  1811  (the  Bank  being 
yet  under  suspension),  pieces  of  3s.  and  Is.  6d. 

Touch  Piece.  A  gold  coin  struck  during  the  reigns  of  Charle.s 
Second  and  Queen  Anne.  They  were  given  to  those  whom  the 
Sovereign  had  touched  for  King's  evil. —  'Booli  of  Days.      Vol.  1,84. 

Triens.  a  gold  coin  of  the  seventh  century,  coined  at  Canter- 
burv,  (then  called  Dorovernis),  Kent,  England. — Numis.  Chron., 
1840-41. 

The  Unit  was  a  coin  in  the  times  of  James  I,  (1603-  ) ;  valued  at 
20s.,  and  in  1611  at  22s. 

YlH  Shoo,  of  Japan,  silver ;  value  3^d.  sterling — Martin  S^-  Truh- 
ner  Manual. 

ZwANZiGER  (of  20  Kreutzers),  Austria  and  Tyrol  silver ;  value 
8|d.  sterling. 


ALPHABETICAL    INDEX 


TO   SUBJECTS  CONTAINED  IN 


THE  BOOK  OF  COINS 


Alabama,  gold  product  of,  107. 
Alexander  the  Great,  coins  of,  12, 
Ancient  constitutions  of  the  mint,  16. 

coins,  dictionary  of,  80. 

Ancient  mode  of  coinage,  9. 
Anglo-Saxon  coins,  early,  7,  9,  11,  28. 

Danish  coins,  9. 

Alloy,  10,  13. 
Anjrel,  The,  124. 

Annual  report  of  mint  U.  S.,  107. 

trial  of  coinage,  51,  6:5. 

Arizotic,  gold  product  of,  107. 
As,  The,  124. 

Assay  Master.  18,  39. 

Assay  Office,  N.  Y.,  created  1853,  71. 

Boise  City,  78. 

and  coinage,  73. 

of  manufactures,  25. 

Ass  t  Treas.  U.  S.  made  Treas.,  71. 

Process  of,  48. 

Assayer  U.  S.  Mint,  50. 

report  of,  59. 

Assiguat,  The,  125. 
Athelstane,  coinage  of,  8,  15. 
Aureus,  125. 

Australia,  cinns  of,  122. 
Austria,  coins  of,  122. 

Baal,  125. 

Balahat,  125 

Bank  of  England,  32,  43,  44. 

Bars  of  copper,  2. 

Beard  tokens,  125. 


Belgium,  coins  of,  122. 
Besant,  122. 
Black  money,  125. 
Blondeau,  inventor,  11. 
Boise  City,  assay  office,  78. 
Bolivia,  coins  of,  123. 
Bonds  of  officers  U.  S.  Mint,  57,  64. 
Boulton  &  Watt,  new  machinery  by,  33. 
Bounet  Piece,  125. 

Branch  Mint  of  Denver,  &c.,  67,71,73, 
75,  78. 

English,  15. 

Brass,  coinage  of,  8,  28. 
bnzii,  ct)ins  of,  122. 
Briot,  inventor,  11. 
Bristol,  branch  mint,  15,  29. 
Britain,  silver  discovered  in,  24. 

first  coinage  in,  3,  5,  26. 

Britannia,  125. 

BruL-her,  inventor  of  coining  press,  10. 
Bullion,  assay  of,  58. 

certificates,  71. 

fuud,  how  applied,  63. 

for  refining,  66. 

to  be  received  for  coinage,  58, 

to  be  made  into  ingots,  60,  65. 

Byzantines,  125 

California,  gold  product,  107. 
Canada,  coins  of,  J 23. 
Cajsar,  Julius,  coinage  in  the  reign  of,  4. 
Carson  City,  branch  mint,  75. 
,  coinage  at,  107. 


Index  to  the  Boole  of  Coins. 


Canterbury  and  York,  mints  of,  7,  15. 

Carolus,  J 26. 

Caroline,  126. 

Central  America,  coins  of,  122. 

Cent,  125. 

Challies,  126. 

Charges  for  coinajjfe,  59. 

for  refiuingf,  73. 

Charlemngiie.  coinage  of,  3. 
Charles  I,  coinage,  24. 

II,  coinage  of,  11,  24,27,  28,  29. 

II,  standard,  27,  34. 

Chester,  branch  mint,  29. 
China,  coins  of,  122. 
Chief  Coiner  Mint  U.S.,  57 
Chili,  coins  of,  122. 
Clarke  on  coins,  quoted,  8. 
Clippings  at  the  mint,  62. 
Coinage,  ancient  mode  of.  9. 

application  of  steam,  33. 

charg  s  for,  59. 

early,  3,  9. 

of  ligljt  gold,  36, 

history  of,  1. 

of  brass,  8,  28. 

of  bullion,  65. 

of  copper,  229,  43,  107. 

of  gold,  26. 

of  pewter,  29. 

of  silver,  26. 

of  tin.  29. 

privilege  of,  14. 

prerogative  of  the  Crovrn,  43. 

reforms  in  the,  29,  31. 

standard  of,  27. 

social  and  political  effects,  3. 

Coining  Press,  invention  af  the,  10, 
Coins,  annual  trial  of,  (>2. 

and  Medals,  list  of  works  on,  119. 

dictionary  of,  80. 

Colorado,  gold  product,  109. 

branch  mint  in,  73. 

Commonwealth   coins  of  the,  24. 
Consular  coins  80. 

Copper,  coinage  of,  2,  29,  43,  107 
Coventry,  mint  at,  15. 
Cowries,  126, 
Crown  gold,  12. 

coining  privilege  of  the,  15. 

Crown,  126. 

Crusade,  J 27. 


Dacotnli,  gold  product  of,  107. 
l^alilonega,  coinage  at,  67,  107. 
Dalies  City  branch  mint,  76. 
Darie,  The,  128. 
Denmark,  early  coins  of,  9. 

modern  coins,  — 122. 

Denver  Branch  mint,  73. 

coinage  at,  107. 

Denarius,  The,  J28. 


Depository  of  public  money,  70,  74,  76. 
Denier,  The,  ]28. 

Deviations  from  the  standard,  60,  61,  64. 
Dies,  method  of  making,  52. 

keeper  of  th(%  18. 

Diodorus  Siculus,  quoted,  5. 

Dime,  coinage  of  authorized,  61, 65,  127. 

— -  half,  65. 

Director  of  the  Mint,  56,  &S,  70,  72,  74, 

75.  77. 
Doit,  The,  12-. 
Doles,  ]27. 
Dollar,  coinage  authorized,  61,  127. 

half,         "  61. 

qniiter,  "  61. 

Dobra,  127. 

Doubloou,  129. 
Double,  The,  129. 
Drachma,  129. 
Ducat,  The,  129. 
Ducaten,  The,  129. 
Dudu  inasu,  129. 
Durham,  mint  at,  15. 

Eagflc,  coinage  of  authorized,  64. 

Double  "  "  64. 

origin  of,  130. 

Ecclesiastical  Coins,  130. 

Edward  I.,  coinage  of,  10, 13,  17,  19. 

II.,  "  17,21. 

III.,  "  13,14,24,25,28. 

IV.,  "  13,28. 

-; —  VI.,  "  13,26,28. 

Egbert,  coinage  of,  19. 

Egypt,  coins  of,  80. 

Eight  Piece,   130. 

Elizabeth,  coinage  of,  12,19,21,24,26,28. 

Engraver,  work  of  the,  53,  56. 

Equador,  coins  of,  123. 

Etiielbert  I.,  coins  of,  5. 

Ethelred,  '  14. 

Exeter  branch  mint,  29. 

Fartliiii;;$,  in  gold,  26,  130. 

in  silver,  28. 

Fine  silver  and  alloy,  13. 

Florin,  The,  131. 

Foreign  Coins,  values  of,  122, 

Forged-iron  measures,  50. 

Franc,  The,  131. 

France,  coinage  of,  10. 

coins  of,  122. 

mint  of,  35. 

new  processes  for  coinage,  35. 

Frederic  d  Or,  J31. 

Fuaug,  a  coin,  128. 

Ool<l  iiiid  Silver,  relative  propor- 
tions, 28. 

coins  of  Europe, 

Asia,  &c.,  122. 


Index  to  tJie  Book  of  Coins. 


Gold    and    Silver,     export     prohibited 

by  Britain,  24. 
Gold  Coins,  foreio:n,  values  of,  122. 
Gold,  first  coinac^e  in  Britain,  26. 

mint  price  of,  26. 

only  legal  tender  in  England,  35. 

melting  process,  46. 

premium  on,  27. 

re-coinag'e  of,  J 774 — 31,36. 

standard  of,  28. 

purchased  by  Bank  of  England,  32. 

Gazette,  coin,  131. 

Gaul,  early  coins  of,  3. 
George  I.,  coins  of,  24,  28. 

III.,         "       23,  28,31,33. 

Georgia,  gold  product  of,  107. 
Germany,  coins  of,  122. 

Great  Britain,  history  of  coinage  in,  1. 

early  mints  of,  J  5. 

coins,  values  of  in  U.  S.,  122. 

gold  of,  5. 

legal  tender  in,  35. 

Greece,  coins  of,  123. 
Greek  and  Roman  coins,  12. 
Guilder,  The,  128. 
Groats,  coinage  of,  26,  131. 
Guinea,  coinage  of,  30,  132. 

depreciation  of,  30,  31. 

superseded,  35. 

Hale,  Matthew,  quoted,  14,  19. 
Half-penny,  vrigin  of,  8,  134. 
Hearth  Money,  128, 
Henry  I.,  coinage  of,  8,  14,  16,28. 

II.,  "  11,16. 

III.,  "  12,  19,  20,26,  28. 

IV.,  "  25. 

v.,  coinage  of,  25. 

VI.,  "  24,  26,  28. 

VIII.,        "  12,  24,  26. 

VIII.,  debasement  of  coinage  by, 

12,  27. 

Herring  b^ilver,  132. 

Herries,  master  of  the  mint,  35. 

Herschel,  Sir  John,  master  of  the  mint, 

38,  4(1,  .^)U. 
Hindostan,  coins  of,  122. 
Hume,  Joseph,  36. 

David,  30. 

Ichiba,  The,  132. 
Idaho,  branch  mint  in,  78. 

gold  product  of,  107. 

Ingots,  authorized,  6(1,  71. 

charge  for,  65. 

of  one  ounce,  «&c.,  65, 

of  silver,  49. 

Indian  money,  133. 
lua,  coins  of,  8. 

Iron,  use  of  as  money,  2. 
Italy,  coins  of,  122. 


James  I.,  coinage  of,  21,  24,  26,  28. 

II.,  "  22. 

Japan,   coins  of,   122. 

KiAiisas,  gold  product,  107. 
King's  Assayer,  The,  17. 
Krone,  The,  J 33. 
Kufic  coins,  133. 

Lake  Superior  silver  product,  107. 
Lead,  discovery  of  in  England,  26. 
Lamb,  The,  a  coin,  133. 
Legal  tender,  23,  35. 

of  silver  abolished,  23. 

Light  gold  coins  called  in,  36. 
Liverpiiol,  Lord,  on  .Seignorage,  20,  23. 
Livre,  ori-in  of  the,  3. 

Locke,  John,  on  coinage,  29,  30. 
London  Mmieyers,  tax  paid  by,  15. 

new  mint,  33,  35. 

old  mint,  15. 

Tower  of,  15. 

Lusshebournes,  133. 

IVIaiieiis,  133. 

Mark  (the)  origin  of,  8,  133. 

Maryland,  gold  product  of,  109. 

Maryborough,  Lord,  34. 

Melier  and  Kefiner,  56,  60,  69. 

Mixico,  coins  of,  122. 

Mill  and  Screw,  origin  of,  10. 

Mints,  ancient  constitutions  of,  16. 

early,  15. 

Saxon,  7. 

Saxon  and  Norman,  14. 

Board,  established,  34. 

English,  15,  35. 

new  coinage  of,  35. 

refinery  created,  35. 

new  constitution  of,  37,  42. 

proposed  reforms,  40. 

routine  of  business,  44. 

cuneator  of  the,  18. 

shere  of  the,  21. 

steam  engines  first  used,  33. 

Warden  of  the,  17. 

Tower  Hill,  33. 

Mint,  U.  S.  Assayer,  56. 

annual  report,  58,  107. 

annual  tiial  of  coinage,  63. 

bullion  to  be  purchased,  64. 

bullion  fund  of,  63. 

bonds  of  officers,  .57,   64. 

branches  authorized,  67,  68,    73, 

75,  78. 

certificates,  74. 

charges  for  refining,  73. 

chief  coiner  and  engraver,  57. 

Clerks  and  assistants,  57. 

commissioners,  appointment  of,  63. 


4 


Index  to  the  Booh  of  Coins. 


Mint,  director  of  the,  56,  68,  70. 

depository   of  public  money,  70, 

74,76 

drafts  for  gold  dust,  76. 

melter  and  refiner,  56,  60,  Q^. 

oaths  of  officers,  67,  75,  77. 

profits  of  the,  66. 

salaries  of  officers,  58. 

silver  to  be  purchased  for,  64. 

standard  at,  61. 

treasurer  of  the,  56,  60,  62,  69,  70. 

Moidore,  a  coin,  133. 

Mohur,  a  coin,  133. 
Moeda,  a  coin,  133. 
Money,  materials  of,  28, 
Moneyers,  abolished  42. 

coinage  by,  16,  18,  52. 

King's  (the)  19. 

Montana,  gold  product  of,  107. 
Mushet,  K.,  history  of  coinage,  1. 

Naples,  coins  of,  122. 
Nebraska,  gold  product  of,  107. 
Netherlands,  coins  of,  122. 
Nevada,  gold  product  of,  107. 
New  Grenada,       "      123. 
New  Mexico, gold  product  of,  107. 
New  Orleans,  branch  mint,  67,  68. 

coinage  at,  109. 

Newton,  Sir  I.,     master  of    the  mint, 

29,  31. 
New  York  Assay  office,  71 . 

branch  mint  in,  75. 

coinage  at,  107. 

Nobles,  coinage  of,  26,  134. 

North  Carolina,  gold  product  of,  107. 
Norway,  coins  of,  122. 
Norman  coins,  8. 
Numismatics,  dictionary  of,  80. 

Oaths  of  Officers,  67,  70. 

Obang,  a  coin,  134. 

Oregon,  gold  product  of,  107. 

branch  mint  in,  76. 

Parn,  a  coin,  134. 
Penny -Poise,  a  coin,  135. 
Penny,  Anglo  Saxon,  7,  134. 
Persia,  names  of  coins  in,  80. 
Peso,  a  coin,  134. 

origin  of,  8,  9. 

Pennyweight,  origin  of,  8,  13. 
Peru,  coins  of,  122. 
Pewter,  coinage  of,  29. 
Philadelphia,  coinage  76  years,  109. 
Philip  of  Macedon,  coins  of,  12. 
Pistole,  a  coin,  135. 

Pliny,  quoted,  2,  12. 

Pole,  W.  W.,  master  of  the  mint,  33. 

Portugal,  coins  of,  122, 


Pound  sterling,  3,  9,  11,  13,  14. 

Troy,  34. 

of  silver,  14,  23. 

Prussia,  coins  of,  122. 
Pyxing  process,  described,  51. 

trial,  London,  52. 

i^tiinarins,  a  coin,  135. 

Kappen,  a  coin,  135. 

Real,  a  coin,  136. 

Kecoinage  of  light  coins,  36. 

Rhi  edy,  a  coin,  136. 

Ricardo,  32. 

Richard  I.,  coinage  of,  17. 

Rider,  a  coin,  136. 

Ring  money,  136. 

Rix  dollar,  136. 

liolling  process,  described,  51. 

Roman  money,  early,  2,  5. 

Rome,  modern  coins  of,  122. 

ancient  coins  of,  80. 

Rouble,  a  coin,  136. 

Ruding,  on  coins,  4,  6,  11,  16. 

Rupee,  a  coiu,  136. 

Russia,  ancient  coins  of,  80. 
Russia,  modern  coins  of,  122. 

San  FraJicisco,  coinage  at,  69. 

Sardinia,  coins  of,  123. 

S  ilute,  a  coin,  136. 

Saxons,  coii.s  of  the,  5,  14,  16. 

Scots  money  pound,  3. 

pennies,  3. 

Seignorage,  20,  21,  23,  43. 

abolished,  22. 

Sceatt£e,  7,  9,  133. 
Scudi,  138. 

Servius  TuUius,  money  of,  2. 
Sequin,  a  coin,  138. 
Shekel,  a  coin,  136. 
Shere,  of  the  mint,  21. 
Shilling,  Saxon,  9,  136. 
Silver,  assay  process,  49. 

as  legal  tender,  23,  35. 

bullion  ti)  be  j)urchased,  64. 

export  prohibited,  25. 

Silver  coinage  early,  21. 

in  Briton,  24. 

new  standard,  29. 

ingots  of,  49. 

melting  of,  48. 

pound  (if,  14. 

Skeattjc,  J  38. 

Sitka,  gold  product  of,  107. 
Smith,  Adam,  on  early  coinage,  232. 
Suclliiig,  on  silver  coinage,  21. 
Sovereigns,  coinage  of,  35,  138. 
South  Carolina,  gold  of,  107. 
Sous  marques,  137. 
Spain,  coins  of,  122. 


Index  to  the  Booh  of  Coins. 


Standard  at  the  mint,  28,  61. 

deviations  from,  60,  64. 

or  sterling,  10. 

weig-hts,  66. 

of  gold,  28. 

Steam  engine  in  coinage,  33. 
Sterling,  origin  of,  11. 

pound,  1 1. 

Sterling,  silver,  12. 
Strabo,  quoted,  5.  , 

Stycas,  origin  of,  8. 
Suetonius,  quoted,  5. 
Sweden,  coins  of,  122. 
Switzerland     "     122. 

Tacitus,  on  British  coinage,  3, 5,  24. 

Tao  money,  i38. 

Testoon,  a  coin,  139. 

Tennessee,  gold  product,  107. 

Thaler,  a  coin,  138. 

Tower  Hill,  Mint  removed  to,  33. 

Tokens,  139. 

Tower  of  London,  Mint  in,  15,  33. 

Touch  Piece,  139. 

Treasurer  of  Mint  U.  S.,  61,  64, 

Triens,  a  coin,  139. 

Troy  pound  a  coin,  66. 


Tunis,  coins  of,  122. 
Turkey,  coins  of,  122. 

old  coins  of,  80. 

Tuscany,  coins  of,  1 10. 

United  States,  coinage  of,  107. 

coins  of,  59. 

gold  in,  107. 

Mint  laws  of,  54. 

Vermont,  gold  product,  107. 
Victoria,  coinage  of,  13,  24,  28. 

standard  of  gold,  28. 

revision  of  Mint  laws,  37. 

Virginia,  gold  product  of,  107. 

Warden,  of  the  Mint,  17. 
Washington  territory,  gold  of,  107. 
Waste,  allowance  for,  60. 
William  III,  coinage  of  15, 21,  23, 28, 29. 

IV,  coinage  of,  23. 

Wool,  export  duty  on  (1413,)  25. 
Wyoming,  gold  product  of,  107. 

York  and  Canterbury,  mints  of,  7,  2. 


PLATE    I. 

GOLD     COINS     OF     THE     UNITED     STATES 


I.    The  Eagle— Ten  Dollars.     1870. 


II.    Double  Eagle— Twenty  Dollars.    1870. 


III.    Half-Eagle— Five  Dollars.     1870. 


IV.     Three  Dollars.     1870. 


%t 


V.     Quarter-Eagle— $2    50.     1870. 


VI.     One  Dollar.     1870. 


Engraved  for  the  "Merchants  and  Bankers''  Almanac  for  1871." 


PLATE    I. 

i  GOLD    COINS    OF     THE     UNITED     STATES, 

I 

I.    THE  EAGLE— TEN   DOLLARS. 

Weight,  258  Grains. 

i^inmm— 900-1000. 


II.    DOUBLE  EAGLE— TWENTY  DOLLARS. 

Authorized  by  Act  of  Congress,  March  3,  1849. 
Weight,  516  Grains, 
i^meness— 900-1000. 


III.    HALF-EAGLE--FIVE  DOLLARS.     1870. 

Authorized  by  Act  of  Cougress,  1837. 
Weight,  129  Grains. 
Fineness~900-1000. 


IV.    THREE  DOLLARS.      1870. 

Authorized  by  Act  of  Congress,  18.53. 

Weight,  774  Grains. 
Fineness— 200-1000. 


V.    QUARTER-EAGLE.     1870.— $2  50. 

Authorized  by  Act  of  Congress,  January  1837. 
Weight,  64t}  Grains. 
i^Miewess— 900-1000. 


VI.     ONE  DOLLAR.      1870.— $1. 

Authorized  by  Act  of  Congress,  March  3,  1849. 

Weight,  25.8  Grains, 
i^meness— 900-1000. 

Engraved  far  the  '■'■Merchants  and  Bankers'  Almanac  for  1871. 


PLATE    II. 

SILVER     COINS     OF     THE    UNITED     STATES, 


I      Half-Dollar— Fifty  Cents. 


II.    One  Dollar.     1870. 


III.    Twenty-Five  Cents.     1870. 


IV.     One  Dime.     1870. 


V.    Half-Dime.  VI.    Three  Cents. 

Engraved  for  the  "  MerctianU  and  Bankers'  Almanac  for  1871^ 


PLATE     II. 

SILVER    COINS     OF     THE     UNITED    STATES 


I.     HALF-DOLLAR.      1870. 

Authorized  by  Act  of  Congress,  1853. 

"Weight,  192  Grrains. 

i^meness— 900-1000. 
Legal  tender  not  exceeding  Jive  dollars. 


W.    ONE  DOLLAR.      1870. 

Authorized  by  Act  of  Congress,  1837. 

WEiaHT,  412.5  Grains. 

i^meness— 900-1000. 


111.    TWENTY-FIVE  CENTS—QUARTER-DOLLAR.     1870. 

Authorized  by  Act  of  Congress,  1853. 

Wkight,  96  Grains. 

i^i«eness— 900-1000. 

Legal  tender  not  e,cceeding  five  dollars. 


IV.    ONE  DIME— TEN  CENTS.     1870. 

Authorized  by  Act  of  Congress,  1853. 
Weight,  38.4  Grains. 
i^ine?zm— 900-1000. 


HALF-DIME— FIVE  CENTS.     1870. 

Authorized  by  Act  of  Congress,  1853. 

Weight,  19.2  Grains, 
i^inf/im— 900-1000. 

Legal  tender  not  exceeding  one  dollar. 


VI.    THREE  CENTS.     1870. 

Authorized  by  Act  of  Congress,  Marcli  3,  1853. 

Weight,  11.52  Grains. 

i^ine?im— 900-1000. 

Engraved  for  (M  ^'' Merchants  and  Bankers''  Almanac  for  1871. 


I 


PLATE    III. 

THE     GOLD     COINS     OF     FRANCE, 


I.    50  Francs.     Napoleon  III.— Value  £  I  19s.  7id.— $  9  58. 


II.     100  Francs.     Napoleon  III.— £  3  19s.  3id.— $  19  16. 


40  Francs.     Napoleon  I.— £  I  lis.  8gd.— $  7  66. 


IV.    20  Francs.     Napoleon  111.— 15s.  lOjd.— $  3  83. 


V.     10  Francs.     Napoleon  III. 
78.  Mid.— $  I  92. 


VI.  5  Francs.     Napoleon  111. 
3s.  Hid.- 96  cents. 


PLATE    III. 

THE    GOLD    COINS    OF     FRANCE 


I.    50  FRANCS.-NAPOLEON  111.     1857. 
Weight,  248.908  Grains  Troy-(  16.129  Grammes 
i^meness— 900-1000. 
Value,  £  1  19s.  7|f/.-|  9  58. 


II.    100  FRANCS  OF  NAPOLEON  III.     1859. 
Weight,  497.816  Grams  Troy— (  32.258  Grammes 
i^ineness— 900-1000. 
Value,  £  3  19s.  SUl—$  19  16. 


III.    40  FRANCS.-NAPOLEON  I.     1812. 

Weight,  199.1235  Grains  Troy-(  12.903  Grammes). 

Fineness— 900-1000. 

Value,  £1  Us.  8|</.-$7  66. 


IV.    20  FRANCS.-NAPOLEON    III.     1861. 

Weight,  99.561  Grains  Troy— (  6.451  Grammes). 

i^ineness— 900-1000. 

Value,  15s.  10^^?.-$  3  83. 


V.     10  FRANCS.-NAPOLEON  ill.     1859. 
Weight,  49.769  Grains  Troy— ( 3.225  Grammes  ). 
i^ineness— 900-1000. 
Value,  7s.  111^.-$  1  92. 


VI.    5  FRANCS.-NAPOLEON    III.     1858. 

Weight,  24.876  Grains  Troy— (  1.612  Gramme ). 

ii'tneaess— 900-1000. 

Value,  3s.  lli(7.— 96  cents. 


PLATE    IV. 

THE     SILVER     COINS     OF     FRANCE. 


5  Francs.    Napoleon  I. — Value,  4s.  Oid. — 98  cents. 


il.    5  Francs.    Napoleon  III.— 4s.  0|d.— 98  cents. 


III.    2  Francs.    Napoleon  III.— Is,  7?d.— 36.4  cents. 


IV.    I  Franc.    Napoleon  III. 
9fd.— 18.2  cents. 


V.     50  Centimes.    Napoleon 
4id.— 9.1  cents. 


III. 


VI.     25  Centimes.     Louis  Philippe. 
2id.— 4i  cents. 


VII.    20  Centimes.     Napoleon 
2d 


ill. 


I  PLATE     IV. 

THE     SILVER     COINS    OF     FRANCE 


I.    5  FRANCS.— NAPOLEON  t.     1812. 
Weight,  385.808  Grains  Troy — (  25  Grammes 
i^me^ess— 900-1000. 
Value,  4s-.  Ok/.— 98  cents. 


II.    5  FRANCS.— NAPOLEON  III.     1856. 
Weight,  385.808  Grains  Troy— (25  Grammes 
i^in^ness— 900-1000. 
Value,  4s.  OW.— 98  cents. 


III.    2  FRANCS.— NAPOLEON   III.     1853. 

Weight,  154.323  Grains  Troy — ( 10  Grammes ). 

i^i„e»ess_900-1000. 

Value,  l.v.  7k/.— 36.4  cents. 


IV.     1   FRANC— NAPOLEON   111.     i860. 

Weight,   77.161  Grains  Troy — (  5  Grammes  ). 

i^i»e;ies.s— 900-1000. 

Value,  9|(Z.— 18.2  cents. 


V.    50  CENTIMES.— NAPOLEON   III.      1858. 
Weight,  38.580  Grains  Troy — (  2.50  Grammes  ). 
i^meness— 900-1000. 
Value,  4|rf. — 9.1  cents. 


VI.    25  CENTIMES.— LOUIS  PHILIPPE.      1847. 

Weight,  19.29  Grains  Troy— ( 1.25  Gramme  ). 

Mneness— 900-1000. 

Value,  2.W.— 4^  cents. 


VII.    20  CENTIMES.— NAPOLEON   III.     i860. 

Weight,  15.432  Grains  Troy  — (  1  Gramme  ). 

i^infijjess- 900-1000. 

Value,  2f/. 


PLATE    V. 

ENGLISH     GOLD     COINS, 


I.    5  Guineas.    George  II.— $  25  50. 


II,     Guinea.     George  II!.— $  5  12. 


III.    1-2  Guinea.     George  111.—$  2  56. 
IV.    1-3  Guinea.    Geo.  111.—$!  71.        V.  1-4  Guinea.    Geo.  III.— $£  28. 


VI.    2  Guineas.    Charles  11.— $  10  25. 


PLATE    V. 

ENGLISH     GOLD     COINS. 

1. 

Weight, 

Weight, 

III. 
Weight, 

IV. 
Weight 

V. 
Weight, 

VI, 

Weight, 

FIVE  GUINEAS.— GEC 

G47.191  Grains  Troy- 

Fuieness-  -22  Carats — 

Value,  £  5  5*-. 

)RGE  II       1729. 

-( 41.937  Grammes ). 

916.66-1000. 

Od. 

E  III.     1798. 
-( 8.3874  Grammes  ). 
Od. 

)RGE  III.     1810. 
-(  4.1937  Grammes ). 
.  6d. 

RGE  III.     1810. 

-(  2.7958  Grammes ). 

?GE  III.     1762. 

-(  2.0968  Grammes ). 
3d. 

ARLES  II.     1684. 
-( 16.7748  Grammes  ). 
•.  Od. 

1.    GUINEA.— GEORG 
129.4382  Grains  Troy- 
Value,  £1  l.s. 

HALF  GUINEA— GEC 

6-4.7191  Grains  Troy  - 

Value,  £0  10.. 

1-3  GUINEA.-GEO 
,  43.146  Grains  Troy- 
Value,  £0  Is. 

1-4  GUINEA.— GEOF 
32.3595  Grains  Troy- 
Value,  £  0  ks 

TWO  GUINEAS.— CH 

258.876  Grains  Troy— 

Value,  ^£2  26 

PliATE     VI. 

COINS     OF     GREAT     BRITAIN 


I.    Two  Sovereigns.— William  IV.     1831.— Value,  £2     $9  72. 


il.    Five  Sovereigns. — Queen  Victoria.     1839. — Value,  £5 — $24  30. 


III.    Two  Sovereigns.- George  IV.— Value,  £  2— $  9  72. 


IV.    Sovereign.— Victoria.     1861.— Value,  £  I— $  4  86. 


V.     Half  Sovereign.— Victoria.     1850.— Value,  lOs.— $  2  43. 

Engraved  for  the  ''Merchants  and  Bankers'  Almanac  for  1871." 


PLATE     VI. 

COINS     OF     GREAT     BRITAIN. 


1.    TWO  SOVEREIGNS.—  WILLIAM   IV.     1831. 
Weight,  246.548  Grains  Troy— (15.97G  Grammes 
i^Mieness— 916.G6-1000. 
Value,  £2.— $9  72. 


II.    FIVE  SOVEREIGNS.— VICTORIA. 

Weight,  G1G.372  Grains  Troy— ( 39.9401  Grammes). 

Fineness,  916.66-1000. 

Value,  £  5—$  24  10. 


111.      TWO  SOVEREIGNS.— GEORGE  IV.     1823. 

Weight,  246.548  Grains  Troy— ( 15.976  Grammes). 

Fineness,  916.66-1000. 

Value,  iE2— $9  72. 


IV.    SOVEREIGN.— VICTORIA.     1861. 
Weight,  123.274  Grains  Troy— (  7.988  Grammes  ). 
i^mene.ss— 916.66-1000. 
Value,  £1— $4  86. 


V.    HALF  SOVEREIGN.— VICTORIA. 
Weight,  61.6372  Grains  Troy— (  3.994  Grammes  ). 
Fineness— ^\(\M-1(}QQ. 
Value,  108.— $2  43. 


PLATE     VII. 

SILVER     COINS     OF     GREAT      BRITAIN 


8.    Four  Pence. — Victoria.    1848. 


II.     Tliree  Pence.— Victoria.     1861. 


111.    Crown.— Victoria.     1857.    5s. 


IV.    Two  Pence.— George  III.     1818. 


'^.r'ft^- 


V.  Three  Half-Pence.— Victoria.    1845.  VI.  Penny.— Victoria.    I85(. 


Engraved  far  the  "  Merchants  and  Bankers'  Almanac  for  ISTl." 


PLATE     VII. 

COINS     OF     GREAT     BRITAIN 


I.    FOUR  PENCE.— VICTORIA. 
Weight,  29.0909  Grains  Troy— (  1.88505  Gramme 


Fineness— 925-1000. 


II.    THREE  PENCE.— VICTORIA. 

Weight,  21.8181  Grains  Troy— (  1.4138  Gramme  ). 

i^i/ieness— 925-1000. 


III.    CROWN.— VICTORIA.     1857. 

Weight,  436.3636  Grains  Troy— ( 28.276  Grammes ). 

i^tne«ess— 925-1000. 

Value,  5s. 


IV.      TWO  PENCE.— GEO.    III.     1818. 

Weight,  14.545  Grains  Troy — (  0.9425  Gramme ). 

i^ine?iess— 925-1000. 


V.   THREE  HALF-PENCE.— VICTORIA.     1845. 

So  called   MAUNDY  MONEY. 
Weight,  10.909  Grains  Troy— (0.707  Gramme  ). 


VI.    PENNY  MAUNDY  MONEY.— VICTORIA.      1851 
Weight,  7.2725  Grains  Troy — (  0.47125  Gramme ). 

Engraved  for  the  ^'■Merchants  and  Bankers'  Almanac  for  1871." 


PLATE    VIII. 

SILVER     COINS     OF     GREAT      BRITAIN 


I.    Half-Crown.— Victoria.     1845, 

Value,  2s.  6d. 


II.     Florin.— Victoria.     1852. 

Value,  2s, 


Shilling. — Victoria.     1856. 
Value,  Is. 


IV.    Sixpence.— Victoria.     1859. 
Va'ue,  6d. 

Engraved  for  the  -Merchants  and  Bankers'  Almanac  for  18T1.' 


PLATE    VIII. 
SILVER    COINS     OF     GREAT 

BRITAIN. 

1. 

Weight, 

HALF-CROWN.— VICTORIA 
218.1818  Grains  Troy— ( 14.] 
i^iweness— 925-1000. 
Value,  2s.  M. 

1845. 
.38  Grammes ). 

1852. 

103  Grammes  ). 

1856. 
)5  Grammes ). 

1859. 
3  Grammes.) 

ilmanacfoi'  1871." 

Weight, 

II.    FLORIN.-VICTORIA. 
174.5454  Grains  Troy— ( 11.3 
i^meness— 925-1000. 
Value,  2s. 

Weighi 

II.    SHILLING.— VICTORIA. 

,  87.2727  Grains  Troy— (  5.6£ 
i^mewess— 925-1000. 
Value,  Is. 

IV.    SIXPENCE.— VICTORIA. 
Weight,  43.6363  Grains  Troy— (  2.82 
FmenesH— 925-1000. 
Value,  Gd. 

Engraved  for  the  "■Merchants  and  BanJcers'  i 

PLATE    IX. 

MEXICAN     GOLD     COINS 


I.    Doblon  or  Doubloon.— Value  $  15  53. 


II.     1-4  Doubloon.— $  3  88. 


III.     l-8th  Doubloon.— $  I  94. 


IV.     I-I6th  Doubloon.— 97  cents. 


V.     1-2  Doubloon.— $  7  76. 

Engraved  for  the  '■'■Merchants  and  Bankers''  Almanac  for  1871. 


PLATE     IX. 

MEXICAN     GOLD     COINS 


DOBLOON  or  DOUBLOON— Onza   De  Oro,      1850. 
Weight,  417.707  Grains  Troy— ( 27.067  Grammes ). 
Fineness,   875-1000. 
Value,  £3  4*'.  8]^.— $15  53  to  $15  61. 


QUARTER   DOBLON.— 1-4  Onza  de  Oro  of  2  Escudos. 
Year    1825. 

Weight,  104.430  Grains  Troy— (  6.767  Grammes ). 
Value,  £  0  16s.  2fZ.— $  3  88  to  $  3  90. 


Ml      EIGHTH    DOBLON.— 1-8  Onza  de  Oro 
or  Escudo  of  two   Pesos.      1850. 

Weight,  52.207  Grains  Troy— (  3.382  Grammes ). 
Value,  £  0  8.S.  1^/.—$  1  94  to  $  1  95. 


IV.     ONE-SIXTEENTH  ONZA  DE  ORO.     1834. 

Weight,  26.111  Grains  Troy— (  1.692  Gramme ). 

Value,  £0  4.^.  01^.-97  to  98  cts. 


V.      HALF   DOBLON.— 1-2  Onza  de  Oro  of  4  Escudos. 

Weight,  208.845  Grains  Troy— ( 13.533  Grammes  ). 

Fineness,  875-1000. 

Value,  £\  12s.  ^d.—%l  76  to  1^7  80. 


PLATE     X. 

THE     COINS     OF     MEXICO 


I     4  Reales  de  Plata— Half-Dollar,    1842.— Value,  £0  2s.  2id. 


II.     Piaster  of  8  Reales.     1856.— Value.  £0  4s.  45d. 


III.    2  Reales  de  Plata— 1  Dollar.     1861.- Value,  £0  Is,  lid. 


IV.     Real  de  Plata— ^  Dollar.     1832.— Value,  6|.d. 


V.    |.  Real  de  Plata.— Augustin.    1822.— Value,  3ld. 

Engraved  for  the  "  Merchants  and  Banlcfrs'   Almanac  for  1871/' 


PLATE     X. 

THE     SILVER    COINS     OF     MEXICO. 


I.    4  REALES  DE  PLATA— 1-2   Dollar.      1842. 
Weight,  208.845  Grains  Troy— ( 13.533  Grammes). 
i^menes.s— 902.778-1000. 
Value,  £0   2.s.  2^^.-53  cts. 


II.    PESO,  or  PIASTER  of  8  REALES  DE  PLATA.     1856. 
Weight,  417.707  Grains  Troy— (  27.067  Grammes  ). 

i^'mmess— 902,778-1000. 
Value,  £  0  4s.  4§rf.— $  1  06. 


111.    2  REALES  DE  PLATA— 1-4  Dollar.     1861. 
Weight,  104.430  Grains  Troy— (6.767  Grammes). 
Fineness— 902. 778-1000. 
Value,  £  0  Is.  Ud.—$  0  26  cts. 


IV.    REAL  DE  PLATA— 1-8  Dollar.    1832. 
Weight,  52.207  Grains  Troy— (  3.383  Grammes). 
i^^me^^ess— 902.778-1000. 
Value,  6id— 13  cts. 


V.    1-2  REAL  DE  PLATA.— AUG USTIN.     1822. 

Weight,  26.111  Grains  Troy— ( 1.692  Gramme). 

/Vwe?iess— 902.778-1000. 

Value,  3i^.— 64:cts. 

Engraved  for  the  "  Merchants  and  Bankers'  Almanac  for  1871.' 


PLATE    XI. 

THE    GOLD     COINS     OF     PRUSSIA 


I.    Krone  (Crown).— Friedrich  Wm.  IV.    1859.— Value,  £  I   78.  3id. 


II.     2  Friedrichs  d'or.— Friedrich  Wm.  IV.     1848.— Value,  £1  12s.  Il^d. 


III.    Friedrichs  d'or.— Friedrich  Wilhelm  III.     1831.— Value,  £0  i6s.  5jd. 


IV.     1-2  Krone.— Friedrich  Wm.  IV.     1858.    Value.  £  0  13s.  73d. 


^&  IT/' 

V.     1-2  Friedrichs  d'or.— Friedrich  Wm.  III.     1839.— Value,  £  0  8s.  2id. 

Engraved  fw  the  '•Merchants  and  Banken-  Almanac  for  1871." 


PLATE    XI. 

GOLD     COINS     OF     PRUSSIA 


KRONE  (CROWN)  OF  FRIEDRICH  WILHELM  IV.     1859. 
Weight,  171.467  Grains  Troy— (11.111  Grammes.) 
Fineness^— dOO-1000. 
Value,  £  1  Is.  3|f/. 


2  FRIEDRICHS  D'OR. -FRIEDRICH  WILHELM   IV 
Weight,  206.221  Grains  Troy- -( 13.363  Grammes 
Fineness— 202.118-1000. 
Value,  £  1  12s.  lUd. 


FRIEDRICHS  DOR.— FRIEDRICH  WILHELM   III.     1831 
Weight,  103.110  Grains  Tro}^— (  6.682  Grammes  ). 
i^i?ie?iess— 902.778-1000. 
Value,  £  0  16.^.  5|f/. 


IV.    1-2  KRONE,  OF  FRIEDRICH  WILHELM   IV      1858. 

Weight,  85.733  Grains  Troy— (5.556  Grammes). 

i^inewess— 900-1000. 

Value,  £0  13s.  l^d. 


\     V.     1-2  FRIEDRICHS  D'OR— FRIEDRICH  WILHELM   III      1839. 
Weight,  51.55  Grains  Troy— (  3.341  Grammes  ). 
ir;„,.„r.s.s— 902.778-1000. 
Value,  £  0  8s.  2ld. 


Engraced  for  the  ''Merchants  and  Bankers'  Almanac  for  1871." 


PLATE     XII. 
THE     COINS    OF    PRUSSIA 


I.    Vereins-Thaler  of Wilhelm.     1859— Value,  £0  2s.  Hid. 


ill.  Vereins-Thaler  of  Friedrich  Wilhelm  IV.     1857.- Value,  £0  2s.  Iljd. 


IV.  1-6  Thaler.-Value,  6d. 


V.  2!.  Silbergroschen.— Value,  2:id. 


VI.  Silbergroschen.— Value,  Id. 


VII.  Half  Silbergroschen.— id. 


PLATE    XII. 

SILVER     COINS     OF     PRUSSIA 


I.     VEREINS-THALER  OF  WILHELM.     1859. 
Weight,  285.784  Grains  Troy— (  18.5185  Grammes), 
i^meness— 900-1000. 
Value,  £  0   2s.  11|^. 


II.    2  VEREINS-THALER  OF  WILHELM.      1861. 

Weight,  571.568  Grains  Troy— (  37.0370  Grammes  ). 

Fineness— dOO-1000. 

Value,  £  0   6s.  Od. 


VEREINS-THALER  OF  FRIEDRICH  WILHELM   IV.     1857. 
Weight,  285.784  Grains  Troy— ( 18.5185  Grammes). 
Fineness— dOO-1000. 
Value,  £  0  2s.  ll|c?. 


IV.    1-6TH  THALER  OF  WILHELM.     1862. 
Weight,  82.438  Grains  Troy— (  5.342  Grammes 
Fineness— 520-1000. 
Value,  £  0  Os.  Gd. 


V,    2  1-2  SILBERGROSCHEN— WILHELM.         1862. 

Weight,  49.708  Grains  Troy — (  3.221  Grammes). 

i^wewess— 375-1000. 

Value,  £  0  Os.  2M. 


VI.     I    SILBERGROSCHEN.-WILHELM.     1861. 

Weight,  33.873  Grains  Troy— (  2.195  Grammes). 

i^ineness— 220-1000. 

Value,  £  0  Os.  Id. 


VII.    1-2  SILBERGROSCHEN  OF  FRIEDRICH  WILHELM   IV.    1856. 
Weight,  16.913  Grains  Troy— ( 1.096  Gramme  ). 
i^mpnes.s— 222.222-1000. 
Value,  £  0  Os.  ^d. 

Engraved  for  the  "  Merchants  and  Bankers''  Almanac  for  1871." 


PLATE    XIII. 

THE     COINS     OF     RUSSIA. 


I.    1-2  Imperial— 5  Rubles  Gold. 

There  is  only  one  otlier  Eussian  gold  coin,  the  Ducat. 

Value,  £0   16s.  4|d. 


PLATINA      COINS. 


II.    Six  Rubles— Platina. 
Value,  £0  19s.  4id. 


III.    Ducat  of  Platina. 
Value,  £0  9s.  8id. 


Engraved  for  the  "Merchants  and  Bankers'  Almanac  for  1871. 


PLATE    XIII. 

THE     COINS     OF     RUSSIA 


I.    HALF-IMPERIAL— 5  RUBLES,     i860. 

Weight,  101  Grains  Troy — (6.544  Grammes  ). 

i^'ineness— Standard— 916.667-1000. 

Value,  £  0  16s.  4|d. 


II.    6  RUBLES,  or  DOUBLE  PLATINA  DUCAT.     1838. 

Weight,  319.551  Grains  Troy- -(20.7066  Grammes  ). 

Fineness — without  alloy. 

Value,  about  £  0  19s.  4ic?. 


III.    3  RUBLES,  or  PLATINA  DUCAT      1842. 

Weight,  159.775  Grains  Troy— ( 10.3533  Grammes  ). 

Fineness — no  alloy. 

Value,  about  £  0  ds.  S^d. 


Engraved  for  the  '■'■Merchants  and  Bankers'  Almanac  fo7-  1871. 


PLATE     XIV. 
THE     COINS     OF     RUSSIA 


I,    Ruble  of  1849— Value,  £0  3s.  2^d. 


II.    Poitina,  or  50  Copecks.— Value.  £0  Is.  7id. 


III.  25  Copecks.    I860.- Value,  £0  Os.  93d. 


IV.  20  Copecks.    I860.— Value,  7;!d. 


V.  15  Copecks.— Value,  5id. 


VI.  10  Copecks. -^Value,  3'd.     VII.  5  Copecks.  1849.— Value,  2d 

Engraved  for  the  "Merchants  and  Bankers^  Almanac  for  1871." 


PLATE     XIV. 
THE    COINS     OF     RUSSIA. 


I.    RUBLE  OF   1849. 
Weight,  319.928  Grains  Troy— (  20.731  Grammes 
Fineness~868.056-1000. 
Value,  £0   Ss.  2|f/. 


II.    POLTINA,  or  50  COPECKS      1859. 

Weight,  159.972  Grains  Troy— (  10.366  Grammes  ). 

Finen>^ss— 868.056-1000. 

Value,  £0   Is.  lUl 


III.    25  COPECKS,     i860. 

Weight,  79.986  Grains  Troy— (  5.183  Grammes). 

Fineness — same. 

Value,  £  0  Os.  did. 


IV.    20  COPECKS,     i860. 
Weight,  63.983  Grains  Troy— (  4.146  Grammes 
Fineness — same. 
Value,  £  0  Os.  lUl 


V,     15  COPECKS,     i860. 
Weight,  48  Grains  Troy — (  3.110  Grammes ). 
Fineness — sam  e. 
Value,  £  0  Os.  5M. 


VI.    GRIWNA,  or   10  COPECKS.     1861. 

Weight,  31.992  Grains  Troy— (  2.073  Grammes). 

Fineness — same. 

Value,  £  0  Os.  3|rf. 


VII.  5  COPECKS.     1849. 
Weight,  15.991  Grains  Troy— ( 1.036  Gramme  ). 
Fineness — same. 
Value,  £  0  Os.  2d. 

Engraved  for  the  '•  Merchants  and  Bankers'  Almanac  far  1871." 


PLATE    XV. 

THE     GOLD     COINS     OF     SPAIN 


Si  S\ilP^ 


„,  -  , ,  ,.,  , s¥^ 

I.     Half-Onza  d'Oro— 4  Escudos  or  8  Piasters.— Value,  £  I    12s.  4id. 


^>^: 


J77_g,. 


Onza  de  Oro— Doubloon.    Carolus  IV.  1794.— Value,  £3   4s.  8id. 


III. 


1-4  Onza  de  Oro.— Carolus  IV.     1801.— Value,  £0  16s.  2d. 


^IS^ 


3fr(l4.^ 


^g-l/ 


IV.     1-8  Onza    de    Oro— Escudo. 
Carolus  III.    1788.-  £0  8s.  id. 


V.   Four  Piasters.— Isabella  II.     1861. 
Value,  £  0  16s.  6d. 


VI.    1-2  Escudo  or  Piaster.— Ferdinand  VII.    1817.— Value,  £0  4s.  id. 

Eiuiraved  for  (lie  "Merchants  and  Bankers''  Almanac  for  1871. "" 


PLATE    XV. 
THE    GOLD     COINS    OF     SPAIN. 


I.     1-2  ONZA  D'ORO— 4  ESCUDOS  OR  8  PIASTERS. 

CAROLUS  III.      1787. 

Weight,  208.845  Grains  Troy— (13.533  Grammes  ). 

Fineness— 815-1000. 

Value,  £  1  12.^.  4^^/. 


II.    ONZA  DE  ORO,  OR  CUADRUPLO  (DOUBLOON)  OF 

CAROLUS    IV.     1794. 

Weight,  417.707  Grains  Troy --(27.067  Grammes  ). 

i^inenm— 875-1000. 

Value,  £S  4.s.  8i^. 


III.    1-4  ONZA  DE  ORO  OF  CAROLUS  IV.     1801. 

Weight,  104.430  Grains  Troy— (  0.767  Grammes  ). 

i^meness— 875-1000. 

Value,  £  0  16s.  2d. 


IV.     1-8  ONZA  DE  ORO,  or  ESCUDO— CAROLUS  III.     1788. 
Weight,  52.207  Grains  Troy— (  3.383  Grammes  ). 
Fineness— 815-1000. 
Value,  £  0  8s.  Id. 


V    FOUR  PIASTERS.— ISABELLA  II.     1861 

Issued  for  the  Philippine  Islands. 

Weight,  103.535  Grains  Troy— (  6.709  Grammes). 
i^Mienm— 900-1000. 
Value,  £0  16s.  Gd. 


VI       1-2  ESCUDO,  or  PIASTER  OF  FERDINAND  VI!.     1817. 
Weight,  26.111  Grains  Troy— ( 1.692  Gramme  ). 
i^meness— 875-1000. 
Value,  £  0  4.?.  OUl 

Engraved  for  the  "'Merchants  and  Bankers'  Almanac  for  1871." 


PLATE    XVI. 
THE    GOLD    COINS    OF      SPAIN. 


100  Reales.—Doblon.— Isabella  II.  I860.— Value,  £  I    Os.  7ld. 


<VTT^I^innTQ^ 


fj^! 


II.     1-2  Onza  de  Oro— 160  Reales.— Ferdinand  VII.    1822.— £  I    12s.  4id. 


III.  80  Reales— Isabella  II.    1835.- Value,  £0    16s.  2d. 


IV.    40  Reales.— Isabella  II.    1861.— Value,  £  0   8s.  3d. 


V.    2  Piasters.— Isabella  II.     1861.— Value,  £  0  8s.  3d. 


VI.  Piaster.— Carolus  III.      1786.— Value,  £0   48.  O^d. 

fjngraved  for  the  ''Merchant  and  Bankers'  Almanac  for  1871." 


PLATE     XVI. 

THE     GOLD     COINS     OF    SPAIN 


I.    loo  REALES— DOBLON  or  CENTEN.     ISABELLA  IL      i860. 

Weight,  129.430  Grains  Troy— (  8.387  Grammes  ). 

i^meness— 900-1000. 

Value,  £  1   Os.  Ihd. 


1-2  ONZA  DE  ORO  (160  REALES).— FERDINAND  VII.     1822. 
Weight,  208.845  Grains  Troy— (  13.533  Grammes  ). 
Fineness— SI  ^-imO. 
Value,  £  1   12s.  4^rf. 


III.    80  REALES.— ISABELLA  II.     1835. 

Weight,  104.430  Grains  Troy— (  6.767  Grammes ). 

Fineness— Sl^-l(im. 

Value,  £  0  16s.  Id. 


IV.    40  REALES— ISABELLA  II.    1861 
Weight,  51.76  Grains  Troy — (  3.354  Grammes), 
i^me/im— 900-1000. 
Value,  £  0  8s.  M. 


V,    2  PIASTERS— ISABELLA  II.     1861. 

Issued  for  the  Philippine  Islands. 

Weight,  51.76  Grains  Troy — (  3.354  Grammes  ). 

i^mewess— 900-1000. 

Value,  £  0  8s.  M. 


VI.    PIASTER.— CAROLUS  III.     1786. 

Weight,  26.111  Grains  Troy — (  1.692  Gramme) 

i^znettess— 875-1000. 

Value,  £  0  4s.  ()U1. 

Engraved  for  the  ^' Merchants  and  Bankers'  Almanac  for  1871.' 


PLATE    XVII. 

NEW    COINS    OF    THE    WORLD. 


GREAT  BRITAIN. 
I.  The  Sovereign— 1872. 


Weight,  .256.6.     Fineness,  916.5.     Value,  $4.86. 


II.  The  St.  George  Sovereign. 


Weight,  .256.6.     Fineness,  916.5.     Value.  $4.86. 

—  -       '—^•>^- — 

III.  CANADA.     Fifty  Cents. 


Weight,  .375.     Fineness,  925.     Value.  $0.47.2. 


SWEDEN.     Four  Riksdaler, 


or  Specie  Daler  of  Sweden. 
Weight,  1.092.     Fineness,  750.     Value,  $1.11.5. 


PLATE  XVIII. 
NEW  COINS  OF  THE  WORLD. 


GERMAN   EMPIRE. 
I.  Ten  Marks.     William,  Kaiser.     Gold,  1871. 


Weight,  .128.     Fineness,  900.     Value.  $2.38. 

—      '  «•» 

II.  Twenty  Marks.     William.     Gold.  1872. 


Weight.  .256.     Fineness,  900.     Value,  $4.76. 
WURTEMBERG.     Double  Thaler  of  Karl,  Koenig.*    Silver,  1869. 


Weight,  1.190,     Fineness,  900.     Value,  $1.46. 
MEXICO.     Peso  (or  Dollan  of  the  Republic,  Silver,  1869. 


Weight,  .867.5.     Fineness,  903.     Value.  $1.06.5. 


*  This  KiiiKdoiii  and  others  liaving  been  liitely  absorbed  into  the  Empire  of  Geimnnv,  their 
distinctive  coina(;e  lias  ceased.  This  piece  is  inserted  for  its  rare  beauty,  and  as  a  memento  of 
the  pa.st  condition  of  those  States. 


PLATE     XIX. 

NEW    COINS    OF    THE    WORLD. 


FRANCE. 
I.  Two  Francs  of  the  Republic,  Silver,  1872. 


Weight,  .320.     Fineness,  835.     Value,  $0.36.4. 


II.  Five  Francs  of  the  Republic,  Silver,  1871. 


Weight.  .800.     Fineness,  900.     Value,  $0.98. 
III.  Franc  of  the  Republic,  Silver,  1872. 


Weight,  .160.     Fineness,  835.     Value.  $0.18.2. 


IV.  Half  Franc,  Silver,  1871. 


Weight,  .80.     Fineness,  835.     Value,  $0.9.1. 


PLATE     XX. 

NEW    COINS    OF    THE    WORLD. 


AUSTRIA. 
Four  Ducats  of  Austria.     Francis  Joseph.     Gold,  1871. 


Weight.  .448.     Fineness,  986.     Value,  $9.13. 
II.  Union-Thaler  of  Austria.     Francis  Joseph.     Silver,  1871. 


Weight,  .596.     Fineness,  900.     Value,  $0.73. 
HI.  Florin  of  Austria  (Hungary),  Silver,  1869. 


Weight,  .397.     Fineness,  900.     Value,  $0.48.5. 
RUSSIA.     Twenty  Copecks,  Silver,  1870. 


■>  m  ^m 


Weight,  .11.2.     Fineness,  875.     Value,  $0.13.3. 


PLATE     XXI. 

NEW    COINS    OF    THE    WORLD. 


SPAIN. 
I.  Five  Pesetas  of  Amadeo  I.     Silver,  1871. 


Weight,  .800.     Fineness,  900.     Value,  $0.98. 
II.  Five  Pesetas  of  the  Republic  of  Spain. 


Weight,  .800.     Fineness,  900.     Value,  $0.98. 

PORTUGAL. 
I.  Gold  Coroa  or  5000  Reis.  1871. 


Weight,  .308.     Fineness,  912.     Value,  $5.80.5. 
II.  500  Reis  of  Portugal.     Silver,  1871. 


Weight,  .400.     Fineness,  912.     Value,  $0.49.6. 


PLATE    XXII. 

NEW     COINS    OF    THE     WORLD. 


KINGDOM  OF  ITALY.     Five  Lire.     Victor  Emmanuel.     Silver.  !869. 


Weight,  .800.     Fineness,  900.     $0.98. 


Two  Lire  of  Pope  Pius  IX.     Silver.  1869. 


Weight,  .320.     Fineness,  835.     Value,  $0.36.4. 

(The  Papal  Coinage  ceased  in  the  year  ISfiO.  i 


DENMARK.     Two  Rigsdaler  of  Christian  IX.     Silver.  1868. 


Weight,  .927.     Fineness,  877.     Value,  $1.10.7. 
NETHERLANDS.     Two  and  a  half  Guilders.     William  III.     Silver,  1869. 


Weight,  .804.     Fineness,  944.     Value,  $1.03. 


•> 


PLATE     XXIV. 

NEW    COINS    OF    THE    WORLD. 


V,  Five  Sen,  1872. 


Weight,  40.2.      Fineness,  800.     Value,  $0.05, 

JAPAN.     GOLD  COINS. 

I.  Twenty  Yen. 


Weight,  1.072.     Fineness,  900.     Value,  $19.94. 
II.  Five  Yen,  1872. 


Weight,  268.     Fineness,  900.     Value.  $4.98^. 

— -  <«»  — 

III.  Two  Yen,  1872. 


Weight,  107.     Fineness,  900.     Value.  $1.99.4. 
IV.   One  Yen.  1872. 


Weight,  53.5.     Fineness,  900.     Value,  $0.99.5. 


^ 


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